Assessing the effect of joint application of mineral fertilizers and biohumus on potato yield quality indicators

Background: The production of "healthy food" heavily relies on fertilizers, which also nurture the plants. While chemical fertilizers offer short-term benefits, they can have a negative long-term environmental impact. Utilizing both organic and chemical fertilizers together can mitigate ecological pollution, addressing concerns about food security. This can also increase crop yield and reduce chemical fertilizer use. As a result, nutritionally rich products will be produced. In all agricultural zones of the republic, potatoes are cultivated as the second bread for the population. Objective: Researchers aim to evaluate the effects of combining mineral fertilizer with biohumus on potato yield, its structural elements, and its chemical composition in brown soil. Methods: A study was conducted in 2020-2022 in the Sisian region of the Syunik region of the Republic of Armenia in a randomized complete block design (RCBD), with five treatments and three replications to see how the combined application of increasing doses of mineral fertilizers and biohumus affected the quality of Impala and Arinda potato harvests. Results: The combined application of mineral and organic fertilizers increased soil humus content by 31.03-96.55% compared to the control group. Moreover, nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and nitrogen content increased significantly. Combining biohumus - fon+5.0; 10.0; 20.0 t/ha improved potato yield from 39.8-40.5%; 53.2-56.5%; 72.69-71.0%, tuber marketability was 73.7-88.4%, quality indicators also improved: dry matter 1.81-14.0%, starch 1.63-17.4%, ascorbic acid 18,0-22,9 mg/%, nitrate concentrations did not exceed maximum permissible concentrations (maximum permissible concentration: 300 mg/kg). Combining fertilizers is the most effective way to control microelement accumulation in tubers. Conclusion: Potato cultivation that combines organic-mineral fertilizers, especially biohumus, and mineral fertilizers is promising, since it complies with sustainable agriculture technologies. As a result, a product with high functionality and nutritional value is obtained. Keywords: Biohumus, combined fertilization, sustainable potato cultivation, nutrient uptake, bioactive compounds