1Central Potato Research Station, Kufri, Shimla-171 012, (HP).
2Central Potato Research Institute, Shimla-171 001, (HP).
*Publication No. 1642, CPRI, Shimla.
Investigations were carried out at CPRS Kufri (Shimla hills) during 1996 and 1997 to study the effect of desprouting on number of seed sized tubers in the produce to reduce the per unit cost of seed in the hills. Desprouting resulted in increased number of sprouts, shoots and compound leaves/tuber. The number of total and seed sized (20–80g) tubers was significantly higher in the four grades (15–80g) of tubers used over control. The number of total tubers was highest (6.20 lakh/ha) in 60–80g tubers. However, total tuber yield and number & yield of seed sized tubers were highest (265.5q, 5.01 lakh & 222.6q/ha respectively) in 40–60g tubers.