Yield and profitability of potato as influenced by intra-row spacing and number of eye in cut tuber in northern region of bangladesh

Abstract

Abstract : The effects of four different intra-row spacing viz. S,=10 cm, S?=15 cm, S3=20 cm, and S4= 25 cm along with two types of tuber viz. C, = cut tuber with one eye and C2 = cut tuber with two eye on yield and profitability of potato were studied in farmer's field of Bogra district during 2007-08 and 2008-09 growing seasons. It was found that closer spacing reduced tuber number per hill, average tuber weight and tuber yield per hill but increase overall production. However, the optimum stem density for maximum tuber yield per hectare markedly differed depending on planting of cut tubers. From two years of trial, highest tuber yield was obtained from closer spacing than wider spacing in both planting. For single eye planting C,Sltheyielded highest (36.2 t ha-1) and double eye planting C2S2 yielded highest (37.2 t ha-1). Hence it was concluded that using cut tubers having two eyes had an advantage for obtaining higher tuber yield than cut tubers having single eye in potato production in the northern regions of Bangladesh. Regarding benefit cost ratio (BCR), it was found that highest BCR (1.50) was calculated from the C2S2 treatment where cut tubers were used having at least two eyes with an intra-row spacing of 15 cm.