Evaluation of Yield Performance of Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) Varieties with Varied Dates of Planting under North Central Plateau Zone (NCPZ) of Odisha

Aim: To identify the proper variety and suitable date of planting of potato for North Central Plateau Zone (NCPZ) of Odisha.

Study Design: The experiment was laid in a Factorial Randomized Block Design (FRBD) with three replications.

Place and Duration of Study: The field experiment was carried out at Field Experimental Block, Regional research and Technology Transfer Station (RRTTS), Keonjhar, Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology, Odisha. The investigation was conducted during rabi-2015-16 and rabi-2016-17.

Methodology: There were four high yielding potato genotypes used as sub-factor for the study such as V1: Kufri Jyoti, V2: Kufri Surya, V3: Kufri Ashoka and V4: Kufri Pukhraj. The materials were planted in three different dates (D1: 15th November, D2: 25th November and D3: 5th December) as main-factor to identify the superior variety with suitable dates of planting.

Results: The results of pooled analysis of variance (ANOVA) shown that the genotypes had significant differences for the dates of planting on yield. Higher tuber yield was recorded in the variety Kufri Pukhraj in both rabi-2015-16 (28.37 t ha-1) and rabi-2016-17 (35.53 t ha-1) along with higher mean yield (31.95 t ha-1). All the varieties have higher yield when planted on D1 (15th November) as compared to the other two date of planting.

Conclusion: The varietal and environmental variations as well as their interaction had a considerable influence on yield and its attributes. In this investigation, Kufri Pukhraj was identified as higher yielder and 15th November was found best suitable planting date for north central plateau zone of Odisha, as this date given higher yield as compared to the other two dated of plating. Therefore, if a specific window of date of planting can be ascertained to the farmers of this region then it would help to cultivate potato exactly when the climatic conditions are favorable for its growth and ultimately to get a high crop yield.