Potato and Tuber Crops

Land Preparation

• During April-May, field is ploughed to a depth of 20-25 cm by one or two deep ploughing followed by turning and land is left for some time.
• Before planting, farmyard manure is incorporated in soil and field is levelled and in sloppy land and flat beds on levelled land.
• Ridge planting is more common.
• Ridges and furrows are made either manually or mechanically.
• In mechanical method, furrows are made with help of 2-4 row maker-cum-fertilizer drill for applying fertilizers also in one sequence.
• This is followed by planting of tubers with help of 2-4 row planter-cum-ridger.
• After application of fertilizers, ridges are also made with tractor drawn ridger and tubers are dibbled 5-7 cm deep on ridges.
• When bullock drawn implements are used, field is marked with rope or marker and fertilizers and tubers are placed on line and ridges are made.
• In all methods, utmost care is taken to avoid direct contact of tubers with fertilizer.