Assessment of Varietal Performance in Diverse Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) Genotypes

The present investigation was carried out during 2013–2014 at Experimental Research Farm, College of Agriculture, Indore, Rajmata Vijayaraje Sindhia Agriculture University, Gwalior (Madhya Pradesh). The experimental material for the present investigation was comprised of eight varieties of potato which was shown in Randomized complete block design with three replications. The result indicated that, potato variety Kufri Arun was observed best for growth i.e. days to 50% germination (18.85%), no. of branches plant⁻¹ (4.0, 5.73, 8.53 at 30, 45, 60 DAP), plant height (23.22, 44.30, 59.35 cm), no. of leaves plant⁻¹ (11.07, 17.40, 19.83), leaf length (5.20, 5.66, 5.82 cm), leaf width (3.83, 4.46, 4.49 cm), diameter of stem (3.01, 3.25, 3.85 cm) and dry weight plant⁻¹ (22.26, 23.17, 60.34 g), leaf area plant⁻¹ (208.30, 396.36, 4.84.13 cm²), leaf area index (0.173, 0.330, 0.404), net assimilation rate (0.049, 0.0746 mg cm² day⁻¹ at 45–30 and 60–45 DAP) and crop growth rate (0.1347, 1.2390 g cm² day⁻¹) respectively, yield characters i.e. early days to haulm cutting (75), days to early maturity (90), number of rottubers plant⁻¹ (1.00), weight of rottubers plant⁻¹ (40.66 g), total tubers yield plot⁻¹ (32.55 kg), marketable total tubers yield plot⁻¹ (32.02 kg), total tubers yield (361.63 q ha⁻¹), total marketable tubers yield (355.82 q ha⁻¹) was recorded maximum with KufriArun, it was also observed best in qualitative traits. Maximum marketable tuber yield of 355.82 (q ha⁻¹) was obtained in KufriArun by net return of 277036 (ha⁻¹) and cost benefit ratio 1:4.52. Hence, adoptability of Kufri Arun for commercial production in malwa condition would be best.