Favourable Climate

• Potato is preferred in regions where temperature during growing season is cool.

• The vegetative growth is best at 24°C while tuber growth at 20°C.
• A temperature ranging from 20-25°C is ideal for growth.

• Germination, underground stem formation and tuber development are the most critical stages when water must be available.
• Water requirement- Equivalent to 500-700 mm of rainfall.

Favourable Soil

• The potato can be grown almost on any type of soil except saline and alkaline soils.
• Choose Sandy loam, Silt loam, Loam and Clay soil (Soils should be loose).

• Required range- 5.0-6.5 (Slightly acidic Soil)
• Strongly alkaline soils are not suitable for growing Potato.
• If pH is <5.0 add Lime
• If pH is >6.5 add Gypsum

Planting Material

Seed Treatment

• Treat the tubers with
• Mix Azotobacter- 4 kg in 200 lit of water in a drum for 800 kg seeds.
• Dip the seeds in a solution for 30 min & use for sowing.
• Seed Rate: 600-800 kg per acre

Sowing

• The sprouted tubers should be planted in furrows 20 cm apart with sprouts facing upward.
• Care should be taken to avoid sprout damage.

Land Preparation

• Plough the land 1 or 2 times based on soil type.
• Mix the following in field and keep it in open air for 10 days for proper decomposition- FYM- 2 tons Composting Bacteria- 3kg
• Spread the above mixture over soil and run rotavator to the entire field making the soil as a fine tilth.

Spacing and Plant Population

Nutrient Management

• 40:55:40 NPK kg per acre
• At sowing apply- 43 kg Urea 338 kg SSP 67 kg MoP 25 kg MgSo4
• 30 Days after sowing- 22 kg Urea
• 45 Days after sowing- 22 kg Urea

Irrigation

• Drip-once in 3 days.
• Flood- First irrigation should be light and given 5-7 days after planting and subsequent irrigation are given at 7-15 days interval depending upon the climatic condition and soil type.

Intercultural Operations

Harvesting

• 100 to 110 Days after sowing

Yield

• 100-180 quintal per acre