Potato

Potato

      Potato (Solanum tuberosum) is believed to have been introduced in India from Europe in early 17th century. Since1830 it is being grown as a commercial crop. With the establishment of the Central Potato Research Institute, Shimla, in 1949, the area, production and productivity of potato have increased by 385, 1,147 and 157% respectively. Today India ranks fifth in area as well as production in the world. The potato is grown in almost all the states in India and under diversified agroclimatic conditions. About 90% of the total potato area is located in the subtropical plains, 6% in the hills and 4% in the plateau region of peninsular India. Indo-Gangetic plains account for about 76% of the potato area and about 87% of the potato production in the country. Uttar Pradesh has the largest area and production of potato, followed by West Bengal and Bihar. During 1995–96, Tamil Nadu recorded the highest productivity of potato (27.0 tonnes/ha), followed by West Bengal (24.5 tonnes/ha), Punjab (20.4 tonnes/ha), Gujarat (20.0 tonnes/ha) and Uttar Pradesh (19.7 tonnes/ha).

Climate and soil

         

          Potato is largely grown in cool regions, where mean temperature does not normally exceed 18°C. Optimum temperature for potato growth and development ranges between 15 and 25°C. Minimum night temperature is of great significance for tuberization and yield. Temperature below 21°C is favourable for tuber formation. At temperatures above 21°C sharp fall in tuberization occurs. There is little, if any, tuber formation at temperature above 29°C. For this reason, the tropics are considered unsuitable for profitable culture of potato. At low temperatures, the vegetative growth of the plant is restricted and at temperatures near freezing point there is permanent and often irrecoverable injury to the plant. That is why potato is grown as a summer crop in hills and as a winter crop in tropical and subtropical regions of the country. The planting time of potatoes is adjusted keeping in view the prevailing temperatures. Long photoperiod promotes haulm growth and delays tuberization and maturity, whereas short photoperiod reduces haulm growth but tuber initiation is early and the crop maturity period is reduced. For best yields, potato crop needs long day conditions during growth and short day conditions during tuberization.

       Potato can grow in all types of soils, but light, well-drained sandy loam soils are best-suited. With adequate fertilization, potato grows well even in sand. Excellent potato crop is grown under river-bed system of cultivation in Deesa (district Banaskantha) in Gujarat. Heavy types of soils are difficult to work with and are not well-suited for potato cultivation. The potato plant prefers soils in acidic to neutral range (pH 5.5–7.5). Black soils are, however, prone to cracking on drying and expose tubers to sun and tuber moth infestation.