EFFECT OF MULCHING AND IRRIGATION SCHEDULING ON POTATO CULTIVAR KUFRI CHIPSONA-1 IN CENTRAL INDIA

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted during 2009-10 and 2010-11 to evaluate the performance of potato cultivar Kufri Chipsona-1 under different irrigation levels and paddy straw mulching under Gwalior region of Central India. Plant height increased in all the irrigation treatments over control. Irrigation scheduling at 20 mm CPE (cumulative pan evaporation) performed better for processing and large size tubers. Mulching also gave higher yield over no mulching in all grades tubers. All the irrigation levels recorded higher yield over control and yield was highest with 20 mm CPE (42.15 t/ ha). Consistent decline in the yield was observed with decrease in irrigation frequency. Mulching recorded higher WUE (165 Kg tubers/ha mm) over non mulching (150 Kg tubers/ha mm). Highest net income/ha (Rupees 53,673) was obtained with 25 mm CPE irrigation level. Mulching treatment gave higher net returns (Rupees 50,417/ha) over no mulching (Rupees 48,613/ha). Potato processing cultivar Kufri Chipsona-1 under central parts of India should be irrigated at 20 mm CPE along with paddy straw mulching.