Effect of seed size cum spacing on seedling tubers obtained from true potato (Solanum tuberosum) seed

Abstract

An experiment was conducted during the winter (rabr) seasons of 1996 97 and 1997 98 on clayey soil at Parbhani, to find out suitable and economical combination of inter and intra row spacing with seedling tuber size in potato (Solanum tuberosum L.). Significant increase in the tuber yield was recorded by row spacing of 45 cm. The plant spacing of 10 cm was at par with 15 cm and gave the highest tuber yield of 102.39 and 92.84 q/ha dur ing 1996 97 and in pooled data, respectively, and was significantly superior to that of 20 cm plant spacing. The tu ber yield increased with increase in seedling tuber size. Significantly highest tuber yield recorded by large seedling tuber size of 11 1 5 g over 1 5 g and 6 1 0 g size. Similarly, 6 10 g seedling tuber size was signif cantly superior to 1 5 g size. Significantly highest tuber yield of 11 9.24 q/ha was recorded by the treatment combination of 15 cm plant spacing with 11 15 g seedling tuber size during 1996 97. The highest tuber yield of 36.13 q/ha under me dium grade (20 50 g) was recorded by the treatment combinatibns of 15 cm plant spacing with 11 15 g seedling tuber size under 45 cm row spacing during 1996 97. As regards the net returns and beenfit : cost ratio, plant spac ing of 15 cm was advantageous over 10 and 20 cm, whereas row spacing was equally effective and seedling tuber sizes under net returns were equally effective. Benefit : cost ratio was decreased as the seedling tuber size in crease from 1 to 15 g. Based on 2 year s pooled data row spacing of 45 cm with 15 cm plant spacing and 11 1 5 g seedling tuber size was most advantageous and recommended to Marathwada region for cultivation of potato crop during winter season.