EVALUATION OF POTATO CULTIVAR FOR GROWTH AND YIELD PARAMETER

The present investigation on evaluation of varietal performance of various potato varieties under Pune Conditions was initiated in Oct 2012. Potato tubers of Kufri Lauvkar, Kufri Badshah, Kufri Pushkar, Kufri Surya, Kufri Khyati, Kufri Ashoka, Kufri Jyoti, Kufri Pukharaj were planted on ridges and furrows. The results revealed that Kufri Surya recorded significantly higher total tuber yield (20.67 t/ha) followed by Kufri Pukharaj (18.45 t/ha). However percent plant emergence and foliage senescence were found non-significant. Whereas results in respect of yield depicted that the variety Kufri Lauvkar produced the lowest tuber yield of 16.23 t/ha. Tuber dry matter (19.69%) was recorded to be the highest in Kufri Surya which was significantly superior in comparison to the remaining varieties. The least incidence of late blight (9.69%) was recorded on Kufri Khyati which was at par with K. Surya (9.74%). The least incidence of early blight (10.29%) was recorded on K. Lauvkar which too was at par with K. Surya. Keeping this in view K. Surya may be recommended as promising variety for Pune region