Effect of Haulm Cutting, Size of Seed Tubers/Seed Pieces and Intra-Row Spacings on Tuber Yield and Economics of Potato Production

The field experiments were conducted during two consecutive rabi seasons (October – February) during 2019–20 and 2020–21 at ICAR-Central Potato Research Institute Regional Station, Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, India located in west central plains of India. Highest emergence of potato plants was recorded with the planting of 40 g whole tubers. Growth attributes viz. plant height (58.6 cm) and number of compound leaves (56.7) were recorded highest with 40 g seed piece/whole tuber. Planting of 120 g seed tubers, 10 cm intra row spacing and 114 days haulm cut recorded highest number of small tubers i.e. 3,43,000 ha^-1, 3,07,000 ha^-1 and 3,26,000 ha^-1, respectively. Highest total number of tubers was recorded at 114 DAP haulm cut (9,08,000 ha^-1), planting of 120 g seed tubers (9,62,000 ha^-1) and 10 cm intra row spacing (8,53,000 ha^-1). Highest total tuber yield was recorded with 114 DAP haulm cut (59.1 t ha^-1), 120 g planted seed tubers (55.5 t ha^-1) and 20 cm intra row spacing (49.7 t ha^-1). Highest cost of cultivation was recorded with the use of 120 g seed ( 386483 ha^-1) and intra row spacing of 10 cm 264261 ha^-1. Highest net return ( 364084 ha^-1) was recorded with 114 DAP haulm cut, planting with 40g seed size tubers ( 329822 ha^-1) and intra row spacing of 20 cm ( 322499 ha^-1). Highest benefit-cost ratio was recorded with 114 DAP haulm cut (2.6) planting with 20 g seed size tubers (3.3) and intra row spacing of 20 cm (2.8).