Effect of organic sprays on storage behaviour of seed potatoes

Abstract

Organic agriculture promoting biodiversity, involving biological cycles and enhancing biological activities has established as an accepted production system in India. Panchagavya, a preparation from five products of cow, which is used in traditional medicine extensively, has a significant role in providing resistance to pest and diseases and in increasing the overall yield. Studies were conducted at Central Potato Research Station, Muthorai on storage behaviour of seed tubers by applying panchagavya both in the storage and in the field. Applying 3% Panchagavya solution on organically grown potato by spraying at 15 days interval and soaking its produce in the same solution before storage proved to be advantageous as it reduced the weight loss, delayed the sprouting and reduced the sprout growth leading to improved storability of seed potatoes. Minimal sprout weight was observed in panchagavya spray at 15 days interval on recommended cultural practice crop. From histological studies, it was observed that, by spraying Panchagavya at 15 days interval, there was improvement in number of phellem layers, number of crystals in phellem cells and scattered starch granules throughout the parenchyma, which reduced the rate of transpiration. Field performance of stored tubers in the subsequent season indicated that spraying panchagavya at 15 days interval in the field and soaking the tubers in 3% panchagavya solution before storage produced higher small and seed sized tuber number and yield.