Vol. 14, Issue 8 (2025)

Author(s):
PS Rathiya, Tileshwari Singh Gautam and RS Sidar

Abstract:
A field experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of planting geometry and tuber size on growth and yield of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) in northern hills of Chhattisgarh at Potato and temperate fruit research station, Mainpat, Surguja, Chhattisgarh during 2022-23 rabi season. The experiment was based on the design of split plot design with three replications. The three planting geometry treatments viz. 45×20cm (G1), 60×20cm (G2) and 75×20cm (G3) as main-plot and three tuber size viz. S1 - 25g, S2 - 40g and S3 - 55g as sub-plot treatment. The results revealed that higher plant height was recorded with closer plant spacing viz. 45×20cm (G1) but wider planting geometry 75×20cm (G3) gave better results for growth parameters viz. shoots plant-1, number of compound leaves plant-1 and yield attributes viz. number of tuber plant-1 (12.45), fresh weight of tuber plant-1 (485.56 g) and tuberization efficiency (3.74). The grade wise tuber yield of <25g (2.03 t ha-1) size tubers was recorded higher at closer spacing 45×20 cm (G1) but medium size 25-125g (8.09 t ha-1) and large size tuber yield >125g (14.80 t ha-1) was maximum with optimum spacing 60×20 cm (G2). Significantly higher total tuber yield (24.66 t ha-1) was recorded with planting geometry at spacing 60×20 cm (G2). Optimum spacing 60×20 cm (G2) gave maximum gross return of Rs.370483 ha-1, net return of Rs. 279451 ha-1 with a B:C of 3.06 respectively. Among the tuber size, growth and yield parameters like, plant emergence (92.19%), plant height (55.30 cm), number of shoots plant-1 (5.70), number of compound leaves plant-1 (34.52), number of tuber plant-1 (11.93), fresh weight of tuber plant-1 (463.33 g), tuberization efficiency (3.89), all grade of tuber yield <25g (2.54 t ha-1), 25-125 g (9.87 t ha-1), > 125g (16.18 t ha-1) and total tuber yield (28.59 t ha-1) was recorded maximum under 55g (S3) seed size of tuber respectively. The gross return, net return and benefit: cost ratio increased with the increasing seed size of tuber up to 55g. The maximum gross return Rs. 428833 ha-1, net returns Rs.331227 ha-1 and B:C ratio of 3.42 was recorded higher with 55g (S3) seed size of tuber respectively.