Agronomical interventions for enhancing seed size tubers in potato (Solanum tuberosum) variety kufri khyati

Abstract

The present experiment was conducted during 2020–21, 2021–22 and 2022–23 at Regional Station, ICAR-Central Potato Research Institute, Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh to evaluate the best spacing combination and dehaulming time for enhancing the seed size potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) tubers and profitability under north-central plains of India. Experiment was conducted in a split-plot design (SPD) comprised of 5 spacing combinations, viz. S1, Ridge and furrow 60 cm × 20 cm (Control); S2, Ridge and furrow 60 cm × 15 cm; S3, Flatbed paired row 90 cm bed width (two rows at 40 cm × 20 cm plant to plant spacing); S4, Flatbed paired row 90 cm bed width (two rows at 40 cm × 15 cm plant to plant spacing); and S5, Flatbed triple row 90 cm bed width (three rows at 20 cm × 20 cm plant to plant spacing) in main plot and 2 haulm killing dates, viz. 70 and 80 days after planting in sub plots. The treatment S5, Flatbed triple row 90 cm bed width (three rows at 20 cm × 20 cm plant to plant spacing) spacing combination significantly increased the number and weight of seed size tubers, net seed size and total tuber yield when dehaulming was done after 80 days. The highest increase in seed size and total tubers over control reported when dehaulmed at 70 days. However, the treatment S3, Flatbed paired row 90 cm bed width (two rows at 40 cm × 20 cm plant to plant spacing) with 80 days haulm killing recorded highest seed size tuber 58.03% and benefit cost (B:C) ratio of 2.51:1 among all other treatment combinations. Though, treatment S3 i.e. flatbed paired row 90 cm bed width (two rows at 40 cm × 20 cm plant to plant spacing) with 80 days haulm killing combination require higher seed rate but can be an economically viable option for enhancing seed size tuber percent and B:C ratio.

Keywords

• Agro-techniques, Haulming, Seed size, Spacing, Variety