Physiological analysis of seasonal variation in the growth and yield of the potato crop

In a field experiment at Ootacamund, Nilgiris, the physiological basis of seasonal variation in growth and yield of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) was studied. The cultivar producing greater total dry matter, gave the highest yield. The increase in tuber yield was largely due to increase in tuber size rather than tuber number. Higher tuber yield ie summer could be attributed to longer crop duration, higher harvest index, leaf area index and net assimilation rate. The physiological age of seed tubers was found favourable for the summer crop.