Optimization of potato varieties and their sowing time for cultivation under poplar (Populus deltoides Bartr. ex Marsh.) based agrisilviculture system

The performance of different varieties of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) was studied in the alleys of poplar (Populus deltoides Bartr. ex Marsh.) trees spaced at 5 x 4 m. The treatments included three potato varieties viz., Kufri Pukhraj, Kufri Badshah and Kufri Jyoti, sown during four times viz., Mid-October, Mid-November, Mid-December and Mid-January. The growth and yield attributes of potato were significantly affected by the treatments. The maximum yield was obtained in Kufri Badshah variety sown in Mid-November (247.29 q/ha), which also showed maximum dry matter content of tubers (21.24%), an important attribute required for processing purposes of potatoes. The reduction in yield was minimumin Kufri Pukhrajupon planting in Mid-December(24.88%) under poplar block and open field, thus this combination of treatments showed less effect of shading under agroforestry system. However, the best combination of sowing time and variety was observed to be Mid-November sowing time and Kufri Badshah variety.