Identification of suitable planting time for growth and yield of potato varieties in Dun valley of Uttarakhand

An investigation was carried out at agriculture experimental block SGRR University Dehradun to know the suitable planting time of potato varieties for higher growth and yield. The treatment comprises six planting dates (05, 15, 25 October and 05, 15, 25 November) and two varieties (Kufri Jyoti and local Sata) and randomized thrice in factorial randomize block design. The experimental result showed a non significant difference between varieties for yield and yield contributing characters except plant height at 35 days after planting. The potato yield and its contributing characters showed significant difference among different planting times. Maximum yield of seed size tubers (30-80 g) and total yield were recorded 27.00 and 34.00 t/ha, respectively, in plants which were planted on 25th October. The plant height, number of leaves per plant and number of haulms per hill were also recorded highest when planted on 25th October, which were 43.50 cm, 44.00 cm and 5.33 cm respectively. The interaction effect of varieties and planting time for yield and yield contributing characters had significant difference. The maximum yield of seed size tubers and total yield were observed in local variety Sata when planted on 25th October. Although the variation was non significant between varieties but the yield potential of local variety Sata was 4% higher than Kufri Jyoti. Thus, on the basis of experimental finding it can be concluded that the local variety Sata and 25th October planting time is best for sowing of potato tubers in comparison to that of other treatments.