Potato and Tuber Crops

Salient Features of Seed Plot Technique

• Potato seed crop is planted in first week of October in western Indo-Gangetic plains and a week to fortnight later in the central and eastern Indo-Gangetic plains using indexed (virus free) seed tubes.
• This provides enough time for growth and bulking (75-85 days) before critical aphid levels are reached in respective regions.
• Closely spaced seed tubers in moderately rich soil and use of optimum dose of NPK ensure high percentage of medium size tubers in the produce.
• The growing seed crop is inspected at least twice in early growth and again before haulm cutting to rogue out unhealthy and off type plants.
• Irrigation is restricted after mid December (12-15 days before haulm cutting) to check re growth after haulm cutting.
• The haulms are pulled, cut or destroyed by chemical sprays before aphid population reaches critical level (20 aphids per 100 leaves).
• This prevents spread of viral diseases in the seed stocks.
• The crop is harvested and heaped in cool place for further curing of the tuber skin.
• After grading and packing, the produce is shifted to cold store in March.
• The period of about 6 weeks between harvest and cold storing helps in overcoming apical dominance and ensures multiple sprouts in seed during next planting.