Potato and Tuber Crops

Raising Nursery

• Sweet potato is mainly propagated by vine cuttings of 25-30 cm length.
• Cuttings for planting are multiplied in two nurseries - primary and secondary.
• Tubers in primary nursery are planted three months ahead of planting.
• A nursery area of 10 m2 is required to raise vines for planting one hectare.
• Ridges are prepared at 60 cm apart and tubers of 125-150 g weight are planted at 25 cm spacing.
• 1.5 kg urea is applied at 15 days after planting and irrigate as and when required.
• Clip off vines to a length of 20-30 cm at 40-45 days after sowing tubers for planting in secondary nursery.
• A 500 m2 secondary nursery is required to plant cuttings obtained from 100 m2.
• Plant the cuttings at 25 cm apart in ridges taken at a spacing of 60 cm.
• 5 kg urea may be applied at 15-30 days after planting in nursery.
• Clip off cuffings in 20-30 cm length after 45 days from middle and top portion of vines.
• Cut vines are stored with intact leaves in shade for two days prior to planting in main field.