Optimizing crop geometry for potato mini-tuber multiplication in net-house

Plant spacing and tuber size are important for potato seed production due to their effects on plant development and yield of the crop. The effects of different spacing (30 x 15 cm and 40 x 15 cm) and grading (<3 g, 3–6 g and >6 g seed) were studied at Central Potato Research Station, Shillong during 2009 & 2010 autumn planting season under net-house conditions using the cultivar Kufri Himalini. Data was recorded on germination, plant height, no. of stem/m², no. of leaves/m², no. of tubers/plant and yield/plant. It was determined that closer spacing increased the number of tubers, however reduction in the size of the tubers was observed. Planting larger sized mini-tubers positively affected all the growth and yield parameters during the planting period. Our findings indicated that the size of the mini-tuber seed has further importance for growth and total yield aspects in potato production system. Also, since in a mini-tuber production programme, the tuber number vis-à-vis to its size is more preferable. Thus, the overall finding indicated that lowering the spacing is more suited for minituber multiplication.