Physio-morphological behaviour of indigenous potato varieties under natural storage condition

Abstract

Abstract : Physiological behaviour of tubers of three different sizes (large, medium and small) of ten indigenous potato varieties were studied under natural storage condition for 180 days (March 3 to September 3, 1990). Weight loss of tubers increased gradually with storage period and at 180 days of storing minimum weight loss was recorded in Shilbilati (9.63%) and maximum in Lalpakri (19.53%). It was found to be inversely proportional to the tuber sizes. Soft rot and dry rot identified as the causes of rottage of tubers in the storage and the incidence of dry rot (4.80%) was higher than soft rot (1.46%). The maximum was in Lalpakri (10.66%) and minimum in Shilbilati (2.66%). Hagrai showed the longest dormancy (required 115 days to sprout) and Lalmadda had the shortest (76 days). At 180 days of storing maximum sprouts was produced by Lalshil (9.63/tuber) and minimum by Shilbilati (2.06/tuber). Days to sprouting was inversely proportional to the tuber sizes but number and weight of sprouts per tuber were directly proportional to the same.