4395:
Varietal Performances of Some Modern Potato Varieties On Their Yield Potentialities and Storage Behavior

Thursday, August 5, 2010: 8:30 AM
Springs H & I
Md. Abul Kalam Azad, Ph.D. , Dept. of Crop Science and Technology, Rajshahi University, Rajshahi-6205, Bangladesh
Md. Humayun Kabir , Dept. of Crop Science and Technology, Rajshahi University, Rajshahi, Bangladesh
Juan Carlos Diaz-Perez , University of Georgia, Tifton, GA
Touria El-Jaoual , Plant, Soil, and Insect Sciences, Amherst, MA
Abstract
The general yield level of vegetables in Bangladesh is very poor because of lack of good seeds, adequate varieties, and adequate soil fertility practices. Potato production has expanded rapidly in Bangladesh in recent years, making it the second most important food crop. By increasing the yield and quality of potatoes by adopting high yielding varieties, and by reducing post-harvest losses adopting adequate postharvest technology and handling systems, the problem of existing acute food shortages might be overcome to a significant extent. The present study focused on yield potentialities and storage behaviour (under farmers condition) of six modern varieties of potato viz., Diamant, Cardinal, Granula, Felsina, Provento and Asterix, was conducted at Domar Foundation Seed Potato Production Farm, BADC, Nilphamari and Laboratory of Crop Science and Technology, Rajshahi University, Bangladesh during the period from December, 2008 to August, 2009. Results revealed that there were significant variations among the varieties in different yield attributes and storage behavior of potato tubers. Under the experimental conditions practicing by farmers (farmers conditions) the variety Asterix was found to produce the highest yield of tubers (29.60 t/ha) and highest amount of dry matter content (20.50 %). The final weight retained by edible stored tubers of Asterix was higher (80.21%) compared to those of other varieties at the end of four months (120 days) storage. Under the same condition,  Diamant was the second highest yielder (28.33 t/ha) containing higher amount of dry matter (20%) and had good storage ability that retained 69.07% of edible tubers at the end of four months storage. The Felsina was the lowest yielder (25.13 t/ha) with low amount of dry matter (16%) and showed poor storage ability retaining with 55.85% of edible tubers in the same storage conditions. Considering results, Asterix showed better performance in respect of most of the parameters studied for yield potentialities and storage behavior. The variety Asterix may be recommended for commercial cultivation and storage under ordinary storage condition or farmers practice. Diamant ranked second position considering the above circumstances, but showed better performance compared to the rest of the varieties.