Unit I: Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.)
Subject: HOR-MI201 - Production Technology of Cool Season Vegetable Crops
Class: M.Sc. Horticulture
References: Bose et al., Chadha & Kalloo, Chauhan D.V.S., ICAR Handbook, etc.
Subject: HOR-MI201 - Production Technology of Cool Season Vegetable Crops
Class: M.Sc. Horticulture
References: Bose et al., Chadha & Kalloo, Chauhan D.V.S., ICAR Handbook, etc.
1. Introduction
Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) belongs to the Solanaceae family and is one of the world’s most important food crops. It originated in the Andes region of South America and was introduced to India by the Portuguese. In India, it is cultivated extensively in Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Bihar, Gujarat, and Punjab.
Importance: Rich in carbohydrates (mainly starch), contains some protein, vitamins (especially Vitamin C and B6), and minerals (notably potassium and magnesium).
Uses: Consumed as a vegetable, processed into chips, fries, and flakes; also used in the starch and alcohol industries.
2. Botany and Taxonomy
- Family: Solanaceae
- Genus: Solanum
- Species: Solanum tuberosum L.
- Chromosome number: 2n = 4x = 48 (tetraploid)
- Inflorescence: Terminal cymose
- Flower: Pentamerous, bisexual, self-pollinated but cross-pollination also occurs
- Fruit: Berry
- Tuber: Modified underground stem with "eyes" (nodes bearing axillary buds)
3. Climatic and Soil Requirements
Climate:
- Cool season crop
- Optimum temperature for tuberization: 18–20°C
- Temperatures above 30°C inhibit tuber formation
- Sensitive to frost
Soil:
- Well-drained sandy loam to loamy soils
- pH: 5.2 to 6.8
- Avoid saline or alkaline soils
4. Commercial Varieties / Hybrids
- Early Maturing: Kufri Chandramukhi, Kufri Ashoka
- Medium Maturing: Kufri Jyoti, Kufri Bahar, Kufri Pukhraj
- Late Maturing: Kufri Sindhuri, Kufri Badshah
- Processing Types: Kufri Chipsona-1, Kufri Chipsona-3 (low reducing sugar and high dry matter)
5. Sowing / Planting Times and Methods
- North Indian plains: October to December
- Hills (summer crop): March–April
- Spacing: 60 × 20 cm to 60 × 25 cm
- Planting depth: 5–7 cm
- Methods: Ridges and furrows (common); flatbed method used in some areas
6. Seed Rate and Seed Treatment
- Seed rate: 2.5–3.5 tonnes/ha of whole or cut tubers
- Seed size: 40–50 g each with 2–3 healthy eyes
- Seed treatment: Treat with 0.2% Mancozeb for 15–20 minutes
- Curing: Keep in shade for 10–15 days to heal cut surfaces
7. Nutritional and Irrigation Requirements
Fertilizers (general recommendation):
- FYM: 20–25 t/ha
- N: 120 kg/ha, P: 80 kg/ha, K: 100 kg/ha
- Split nitrogen: Half at planting, half at earthing-up
Irrigation:
- Critical stages: Tuber initiation and bulking
- Irrigate every 7–10 days depending on soil type
8. Intercultural Operations
- Earthing-up: Done 20–25 days after planting and again after 40 days
- Purpose: Protects tubers from sunlight (greening), supports plants, conserves moisture
9. Weed Control
- Manual weeding: First at 20–25 days, second at 40–45 days
- Herbicides:
- Pre-emergence: Metribuzin @ 0.5–0.75 kg a.i./ha
- Pendimethalin @ 1.0 kg a.i./ha
10. Mulching
- Benefits: Conserves moisture, suppresses weeds, regulates temperature
- Materials: Straw, dry leaves, black polythene (commonly used in hills)
11. Physiological Disorders
- Hollow Heart: Caused by rapid growth and temperature fluctuations; results in cavities inside tubers reducing market value.
- Black Heart: Occurs due to lack of oxygen (poor ventilation) during storage; causes internal blackening of tissue.
- Greening: Due to sunlight exposure; leads to solanine accumulation (toxic).
- Knobbiness: Caused by irregular soil moisture during tuber development.
12. Harvesting
- Duration: 90–120 days after planting, depending on variety
- Indicators: Yellowing of foliage, skin set on tubers
- Method: Manual or mechanical harvesting; avoid injury to tubers
13. Post-Harvest Management
- Curing: Store harvested tubers for 10–15 days at 15–20°C and 85–90% RH to heal minor injuries and toughen skin.
- Storage Conditions:
- Table potatoes: 4–8°C, high humidity
- Seed potatoes: 2–4°C
- Processing potatoes: 10–12°C (to prevent sugar accumulation)
14. Plant Protection Measures
Insect pests:
- Cutworms: Soil drenching with Chlorpyrifos (0.05%)
- Aphids: Imidacloprid @ 0.3 ml/L
- Tuber moth: Proper storage sanitation; apply Malathion dust if needed
Diseases:
- Late blight: Spray Metalaxyl + Mancozeb alternately at 10–15 day intervals
- Early blight: Spray Mancozeb or Captan
- Common scab: Maintain soil pH around 5.2–5.5, follow crop rotation
15. Seed Production
- Source: Disease-free certified seed tubers
- Isolation distance: 5 m for foundation seed, 10 m for certified seed
- Roguing: Regular removal of off-types and diseased plants
- Field inspections: At least three — pre-flowering, flowering, and pre-harvest
- Seed storage: 2–4°C with high relative humidity to maintain viability
