Does Nitrogen Availability Influence Tuber Shape in Potato Crop?

Abstract

Fifteen tubers, five each representing small (<50g), medium (50-100g) and large (>100g) size per sample were drawn randomly from low (140 kg ha-1) and high (210 kg ha-1) N treatments. Rest of the soil nutrients particularly P and K were kept at the level of sufficiency. Each tuber was measured for maximum length (L), width (W) and thickness (T) representing three different planes. Measurements were made by using a simple potato gauge in centimetre (cm). Maximum value across a particular plane was taken and potato shape index (PSI) was calculated using the formula: PSI=((L)2 /(W x T)) x100. Results showed that tuber shape did not deviate in two doses of nitrogen and 75-80% tubers retained oval shape followed by longer ones. Findings suggest that tuber shape is relatively stable at varied levels of nitrogen availability.