Performance of Potato Cultivars: Assessment of Growth and Yield under Varying Sowing Dates in Eastern Uttar Pradesh, India
Shivam Tripathi
Department of Agricultural Meteorology, Acharya Narendra Deva University of Agriculture and Technology, Kumarganj, Ayodhya-224229, Uttar Pradesh, India.
Hayam Boboy Singh
*
Department of Agricultural Meteorology, Kerala Agricultural University, Vellanikkara, Trissur – 680656 (Kerala), India.
Sita Ram Mishra
Department of Agricultural Meteorology, Acharya Narendra Deva University of Agriculture and Technology, Kumarganj, Ayodhya-224229, Uttar Pradesh, India.
Anil Kumar Singh
Department of Agricultural Meteorology, Acharya Narendra Deva University of Agriculture and Technology, Kumarganj, Ayodhya-224229, Uttar Pradesh, India.
Yakhari Awungshi Chihui
Department of Soil Science, School of Agricultural Science, Medziphema, Nagaland University, Dimapur – 797106, Nagaland, India.
Shailendra Kumar
Department of Agrometeorology, Govind Ballabh Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar– 263145 (Uttarakhand), India.
Diwakar Patel
Department of Agricultural Meteorology, Acharya Narendra Deva University of Agriculture and Technology, Kumarganj, Ayodhya-224229, Uttar Pradesh, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Background: Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) is one of the most important vegetable crops worldwide and a major source of carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals in human diets. Growth and tuber yield of potato are highly influenced by varietal characteristics and environmental factors, particularly planting time and temperature conditions.
Aims: The study aims to assess the growth and yield performance of three potato cultivars Kufri jyoti, Kufri khyati, and Kufri pukhraj, under three different sowing dates (November 5th, 15th, and 25th) during the Rabi season. The primary goal was to determine the most suitable cultivar and planting time for optimizing growth parameters.
Study Design: Randomized Block Design with two factors.
Place and Duration of Study: ANDUA&T, Kumarganj, Ayodhya, within the duration of four months (Nov. 2024 to March 2025).
Methodology: A field experiment was conducted at the Students’ Instructional Farm of Acharya Narendra Deva University of Agriculture & Technology. Growth parameters, including plant height, Leaf Area Index (LAI), and dry matter accumulation, were measured at regular intervals. Yield attributes such as number and weight of tubers per plant, grade-wise tuber yield, haulm yield, biological yield, and harvest index were recorded. Data were statistically analysed to determine the effects of different sowing dates and cultivars.
Results: The earliest sowing date (November 5th) significantly improved all growth and yield parameters across all cultivars. Kufri khyati recorded the highest tuber yield (17.44 t/ha), the maximum number of tubers per plant, and the best A-grade tuber production. Kufri pukhraj exhibited the highest LAI and dry matter accumulation, while Kufri jyoti showed the tallest plants but had the lowest yield and dry matter. Sowing on November 25th resulted in the poorest performance across most parameters. Harvest Index was also the highest in Kufri khyati (57.08%) under early sowing.
Conclusion: Early sowing on November 5th is most favorable for potato cultivation in Eastern Uttar Pradesh. Among cultivars, Kufri khyati is the most productive, particularly when combined with early planting, due to its superior yield, grade-wise quality, and harvest index. These findings provide valuable insights for optimizing potato production through proper variety selection and planting time adjustment.
Keywords: Crop- weather relationship, LAI, cultivars, temperature, yield