India: Potato cultivation in TS finds place in international journal

Adilabad: Three horticulture scientists of Adilabad’s Horticulture Research Station (HRS) submitted a research article titled ‘Evaluation of Potato Varieties for their Suitability under Northern Telangana Agro Climatic Conditions’ to International Journal of Current Microbiology and Applied Sciences (IJCMAS) of Tamil Nadu.

The article will be published in the journal in April. HRS is an affiliate of Sri Konda Laxman Telangana Horticulture University.

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A few weeks ago, scientists Ashwini and Pavan led by R Preetham from HRS presented the article after an experiment to evaluate the performance of seven promising potato cultivators on growth, yield, and grades under the north Telangana zone and their research was approved by the IJCMAS.

“The experiment was laid out in a randomised block design with three replications and seven treatments during rabi season 2017-18 on the station’s premises. The varieties that included Kufri Surya, Kufri Khayati, Kufri Chipsona-3, Kufri Chandramukhi, Kufri Jyoti were brought to Central Potato Research Station at Jalandar in Punjab,” Preetham said.

The scientist said that the varieties showed a significant variation in the growth, yield and grades of potatoes. For instance, the highest percentage of plant emergence was reported for Kufri Chandramukhi and Kufri Jyoti varieties. Kufri Surya exhibited the maximum plant height, maximum weight (832 grams) and tuber yield 29.86 tonnes per hectare. Kufri Chipsona-3 and Kufri Badsha displayed the maximum number of branches per plant. A maximum number of compound leaves were produced by Kufri Chipsona-3.

“The results of the study indicate that Kufri Surya, Kufri Khayati, Kufri Chipsona-3 have the potential to grow successfully in the soils of Northern Telangana,” he remarked, adding that the editorial team of IJCMAS complimented the authors of the article for its originality, design and method, writing style, conclusions, novelty of results and discussion.

According to the scientists, India contributes 7.55 per cent to the total world potato production. In fact, the country’s potato productivity is comparatively poor. It registers 183.3 quintals of potato per acre as against Belgium’s 490 quintals per acre and needs to extend potato cultivation in non-traditional areas for meeting future needs.

Preetham, who is also the vice-principal of Horticulture Polytechnic College, said potato is highly nutritious, easily digestible and a wholesome food containing carbohydrates, proteins, minerals, vitamins and high-quality dietary fibre. It is a source of substantial energy.