POTATO

POTATO

Solanum tuberosum
The cultivated potato is a tuber-bearing tetraploid specie

Has 4 sets of chromosomes, i.e., 2n = 4X = 48

X = 12

There are approximately 150 species in the genus Solanum,

which are tuber-bearing

tetraploids, triploids, diploids

Family
Solanaceae (nightshade)

The centre of origin:

Peru, Chile, Bolivia, Ecuador

POTATO
4th leading world crop after wheat, rice, corn
The potato is an annual dicot when grown from botanical seeds.
But, treated as a perennial because it is commercially propagated
from tubers.
The tuber is the:
primary storage organ and major human food source

main commercial propagule for potato

IMPORTANCE
An important staple food crop.
Can be cooked alone or with meat, fish, chicken and vegetables.
Used to make Chips.
Tuber has about 70-75% water, 25-30% dry matter.
It is a rich source of starch (about 20%).
It also contains protein and minerals.

It also has noticeable amount of vitamins, particularly vitamin C.

Production Statistics for the Year

2011-2012
Cultivated through out the world.
In Pakistan
Area 185.1 thousand ha
Yield 4104.4 thousand tonnes
Average yield is 22.17 tonnes/ha
Autumn crop----65%
Spring crop------20%
Summer crop----15%

Major Potato Producing Areas in Pakistan

Punjab (92%)
Okara (28%), Sahiwal (16%), Sialkot (10%), Kasur
(9%), Pakpatan (7%).

Sindh (<1%)
Khairpur (33%), Shikarpur (27%).

KPK (6%)
Nowshehra (18%), Swat (18%), Mardan (9%), Dir
(11%), Mansehra (9%) contribute 65%.

Balochistan (2%)
Kila Saifullah (48%), Kallat (19%), Pishin (13%).

Northern Areas
Hunza & Gilgit

Plant Structure
The potato tuber is a

modified underground
stem.

Plant has relatively

weak and shallow root
system.

Growth Stages
Growth stage I:

Planting to emergence

Growth stage II: Vegetative growth

Growth stage III: Tuber initiation

Growth stage IV: Tuber bulking
Growth stage V: Tuber maturation

Climate
Potato is a cool season crop, moderately tolerant to frost.
It has a wide range of seasonal adaptability.
Temperature is the most important factor influencing yield of potato.
Young plant growth is the best at 24 C.
Later on growth is favored by temperature of about 18 C.
Tuber production is:
maximum at 20 C
Ceases at 30 C
Short days are beneficial for tuber production.

Soil
Deep, fertile, sandy to clay loam soils are preferable for potato.
Soil should have good water retention.

Impermeable layers in soil:

restrict root development
decrease rooting depth

restrict water availability to plant in dry periods

So, soil compaction greatly reduce potato yield.

Soil should have good aeration for root and tubers development.
Deep ploughing is done to have a good tilth.

FERTILIZERS
Potato requires high amount nutrients.
FYM @ 30 tonnes/ha should be added 3 to 4 weeks before
planting.
Trail conducted in Punjab:
N

100 kg/ha

P2O5

80-100 kg/ha

K2O

50 kg/ha

If fertilizers are applied at higher rate then yield will

increase
NPK @ 125:33:75 kg/ha (cost:benefit ratio1:5.10)
NPK @ 220:75:111 kg/ha (cost:benefit 1:11.59)

Band fertilizer

Planting Time
In plains
Planting time
Sept-Oct.
Mid to end of January

In hilly areas
April-May

Harvesting time
Nov.-Feb
March-April

Seed Rate
Autumn
Spring
Summer

2500-3000 kg/ha
1500-2000 kg/ha
1500-2000 kg/ha

SPACING
In plains
Ridge sowing: 30cm
R X R : 45-60 cm
In hilly area, tubers are planted in furrows,
spaced 30 X 60 cm.
Planting depth should be:
10 cm for spring & summer crop
15 cm for autumn crop.

IRRIGATION
Keep the soil moist for the entire growing

season but at the time of tuber formation

should not be very high.

Knobbiness due to
watering after drought

No stress during tuber development.

After 7 days
Total 9 irrigations for autumn and spring crop.
12 irrigations if environment is dry.
Hill crop in Kalam requires 2-6 irrigations.

Hollow heart due

excessive rapid growth

Cultural Practices
Soil compaction is usual after faulty
irrigation and fast weed growth before crop
emergence.
First hoeing should be done quite early.
For weed control use stomp, gramaxone
and/or round up.
Earthing up after 30 to 40 days increases
tuber yield.

Harvesting and Yield

Yield
20-25 t/ha

The size of the tuber continue to increase until the

vines become dry.

Potatoes can be harvested manually using spade or

by using mechanical harvester

Tubers should not be injured during harvesting.

After harvesting, tubers should be placed in shade
for curing.

Varieties
Red Skinned
Cardinal
Desiree
Symphonia

White Skinned
Diamont
Sante

DISEASES
Wilt
Chlorosis, drying and wilting of leaves

Brown rot
Wilting, yellowing and necrosis

Early Blight
Late Blight
Wet and storage rot of tuber
Dry rot

Symptoms of Diseases
Black Scurf

Common Scab

Symptoms of Diseases
Wart

Powdery Scab

Symptoms of Diseases
Watery Wound
(Pythium)

Late Blight

Early Blight

Verticillium Wilt

Verticillium Wilt

Fusarium Dry Rot

Potato Viruses
Potato Leaf Roll Virus (65-70%)
Spring 40-60%
Autumn 7-14%

PVY (65-70%)
PVX (10-30%)
PVS (10-30%)

PVA (10-30%)

Symptoms of viruses

Symptoms of viruses

Integrated Control Measures for Viruses

Integrated Control Measures for Viruses

 Aphids

INSECTS

Suck sap and spread viral diseases.

Potato tuber moth

Caterpillar mines in leaves and shoots and cause
leaf blotches and death of shoots.
Moths lay eggs in tubers and on hatching larvae
penetrate in skin of tubers and make galleries.

Nematode
Infested plant look sickly and stunted, lower leaves
become yellow and get dropped.
Tuber may also get infected.

Stink bugs
Nymphs and adults suck sap.