Physiological analysis of growth of potato in relation to planting date

Field experiments were conducted to study the effects of planting date on the growth and yield of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) under short day conditions of sub-tropical north India. Planting date had a significant effect on emergence, crop growth, crop duration and tuber yield. Higher tuber yield in optimum planting was due to higher total dry matter (TDM) production as a result of greater leaf area index (LAI) and crop growth rate (CGR). In delayed planting LAI and COR were adversely affected by lower temperatures. Consequently, the TDM production and the tuber yield were also less. The adverse effects of delayed planting on crop growth and yield could be attributed largely to sub-optimal night temperatures.