Raised Bed Planting Techniques for Potato Production Under Furrow and Sprinkler Irrigation Methods

Field studies were conducted during two consecutive years (2008–09 and 2009–10) on light textured (Typic-Ustocrept) soils at CPRI Campus, Modipuram, Meerut, to sustain potato productivity through raised bed planting techniques under furrow and sprinkler methods of irrigation. Results revealed that triple row raised bed planting at 120 cm (1,25,000 plants/ha at 20 cm inter and 20 cm intra row spacing on each bed) gave maximum total yield (405 q/ha) and saved 42% water, followed by paired row raised bed planting at 90 cm spacing (1,11,111 plants/ha at 20 cm inter and 20 cm intra row spacing on each bed) under sprinkler irrigation than furrow method of irrigation (313 q/ha). Similar trend was also noticed in net tuber yield as well as medium - sized tuber yield and numbers. The yield of medium - sized tubers was 37% higher in raised bed planting, having three rows of potato at 120 cm followed by two rows at 90 cm spacing (241 q/ha) as compared to single row ridge planting under sprinkler irrigation (194 q/ha). It was also 60 and 46% higher compared to furrow method of irrigation which produced 165 q potatoes/ha.