Agro technology for potatoes destined

for processing

Parveen Kumar
Senior Scientist (Agronomy)
Central Potato Research Institute
Campus, Modipuram
 Status of potato processing in India

 Important products are Chips, FF, flakes,

dehydrated chips etc.
Utilization of raw material by the organized potato
processing industry 0.44 million MT
About 30 processing industries in the organized
sector
 By unorganized sector 0.56 million MT
 Total consumption by both the sectors 1.0 million
MT which comes to about 4% of the total potato
production
Despite many uses of potatoes, processing in India is still very
low compared to developed countries (30-67%)

Starch Par-fried Snacks & extruded Cooked Dried (Granules,

products flakes etc.)
Why special agronomy for processing?

 India’ first processing cultivars in 1998, before

agro techniques standardized for seed and ware
Grown with PoP of ware crop led to 50-55% PG
Need for specialized agro techniques to increase
PG in produce to enhance the raw material to
industries and increase profits to farmers
At present 5 processing varieties (K. Chipsona-
1,2,3, K. Himsona, K. Frysona)
 Quality requirements of processing
potatoes
• Precise size and shape
– Chips: 45-85 mm, round
– French fries: >75 mm, long
– Flakes: >35 mm
• High tuber dry matter ( > 20%) and SG
• Lower reducing sugars (<0.1%)
• Good storability with CIPC at 10-12 oC
• Defects free (HH, IBS, BC, greening,
crack, knobby etc.)
 Selection of field

 Free from soil borne diseases like

common scab, powdery mildew,
black scruff, brown rot and
nematodes
 Field preparation
 Preparation depends upon the soil
texture and in sandy/sandy loams two
harrows followed by 1-2 tillers and
planking is sufficient
 FYM @ 10-30 t/ha
 Seed preparation
 Withdrawal of seed from cold stores 10-15 days
before planting,
 Keep the seed in shade (diffused light) and
properly ventilated conditions for good
sprouting,
 Pre sprouted tubers help in early emergence,
better stand, early tuberization, maturity and
higher yields
Effect of Seed Age on Tuber yield
(Source: CIP BULLETIN)
 VARIETIES
FOR NORTH-CENTRAL PLAINS
K. Chipsona-1, K. Chipsona-2,
Kufri Chipsona-3, Kufri Frysona
Kufri Surya
 PLANTING

NORTH- CENTRAL PLAINS

Optimum : IInd-IIIrd week of October

 Crop geometry
Chips
67.5 × 20 cm (74,000
plants/ha) for seed size
tubers (35-45 mm)
French fries
67.5 × 26.5 cm and 90 ×
20cm (55,000 plants/ha)
for seed size tubers (35-
45 mm)
 Depth of planting & Interculture

 Higher than most of table cultivars,

short stolons
 3-4 inch where EUp; 5-6 inch where
EUp not practiced
 Interculture at 20-25 DAP when plants
are 10-15 cm tall
 Nutrient management
Nutrient efficiency in potato
Shallow rooted crop
N = 40-50 %
P = 10-15 %
K = 50-60 %
 Influence of nitrogen on tuber
processing parameters
Deficient Optimum Excess
 Very small tubers  Optimum size tubers  Optimum size tubers

 High sugar level  Low sugar level  High sugar level

 Low dry matter  High dry matter  Medium dry matter

 Mature tubers  Mature tubers  Immature tubers

 Disease susceptible  Disease resistant  Disease & bruise

susceptible
Effect of N on yield and economics
of Chipsona cultivars
N (kg/ha) PGY TTY NR B:C
(t/ha) (Rs./ha)
0 11.9 a 17.2 a 1,089 a 1.03 a
90 22.9 b 30.1 b 34,379 b 1.83 b
180 28.7 c 35.1 c 49,192 c 2.14 c
270 33.0 d 39.2 d 60,392 d 2.35 d
360 34.2 d 40.0 d 61,944 d 2.33 d

(Kumar et al 2007)
 Effect of N on processing quality of
Chipsona cultivars
N (kg/ha) SG TDM (%) CC at CC after
harvest 5 months
0 1.086 a 21.9 a 2.5 a 3.0 a
90 1.089 bc 22.7 ab 2.7 a 3.0 a
180 1.090 b 23.1 b 2.9 a 3.0 a
270 1.089 bc 23.0 b 2.7 a 3.0 a
360 1.088 c 22.6 ab 2.6 a 3.0 a
(Kumar et al 2007)
 N deficient

Growth severely restricted, few stems; yellowing of

older foliage
Influence of phosphorus on tuber
processing parameters

Deficient Optimum Excess

 Very small tubers  Optimum size tubers  Optimum size tubers

 High sugar level  Low sugar level  Low sugar level

 Low dry matter  High dry matter  High dry matter

 Mature tubers  Mature tubers  Mature tubers

 Disease susceptible  Disease resistant  Disease resistant

Effect of P on yield and economics of
Chipsona cultivars
P2O5 PGY TTY NR B:C
(kg/ha) (t/ha) (Rs./ha)
0 28.9 35.4 53,243 2.33

40 29.0 36.1 53,400 2.31

80 31.2 38.7 59,503 2.43

120 30.3 37.1 55,361 2.31

160 31.4 38.2 57,945 2.35

LSD0.05 1.61 1.62 4,606 0.11

(Kumar et al 2007)
 Effect of P on processing quality of
Chipsona cultivars

Processing quality traits viz., specific gravity, tuber dry

matter content, chip colour at harvest and after five
month storage at elevated temperature of 10-12oC with
fogging of sprout suppressant (CIPC) were not
influenced to a level of significance by varied P levels
(0 to 160 kg/ha)

(Kumar et al 2007)
 Phosphorus Deficiency

Growth thin, few stems; leaflets marginal scorch, older

leaves shed, forward rolling
 Influence of potassium on tuber
processing parameters

Deficient Optimum Excess

 Small tubers  Optimum size tubers  Optimum size tubers

 High sugar level  Low sugar level  Low sugar level

 Low dry matter  High dry matter  Low dry matter

 Mature tubers  Mature tubers  Mature tubers

 Disease susceptible  Disease resistant  Disease resistant

Effect of K on yield and economics of
Chipsona cultivars
K2O PGY TTY NR B:C
(kg/ha) (t/ha) (Rs./ha)
0 20.1 28.4 28,570 1.71
50 25.5 33.2 43,853 2.09
100 27.6 35.5 49,886 2.23
150 31.2 38.4 59,677 2.45
200 31.1 39.2 60,107 2.45
LSD0.05 2.26 2.22 6,526 0.16

(Kumar et al 2005)
Effect of K on processing quality of
K. Chipsona-1
K2O SG TDM CC at RS
(kg/ha) (%) harvest
0 1.092 23.6 2.7 41
50 1.092 23.7 2.9 43
100 1.092 23.0 2.9 37
150 1.090 22.6 2.8 31
200 1.089 22.3 2.8 36
LSD0.05 0.0022 NS NS NS
(Kumar et al 2004)
Response to Potassium

Growth tends to be squat and bushy; leaflets bluish green and slight
intervenal chlorosis, marginal scorch and brown spots on under
surface, backward rolling
NPK dose, time and source for Chipsona
cultivars
Basal dose : 135 kg N (Through CAN/AS)
+
80 kg P2O5, 150 kg K2O/ha

At earthing : 135 kg N/ha (Through Urea)

 With the use of this dose the proportion of PG increased

from 50-60% to 75-80%,
 CC remained acceptable upto 5 months storage
 Urea is 10-20% less efficient than CAN/AS
 Response to N and K splitting
(soil and foliar application)
 Kufri Chipsona-1 and Kufri Chipsona-3
responded only to 2 splits of N (half at
planting + half at earthing up)
 Foliar spray of urea during crop season
deteriorated the processing quality
during CIPC storage
 K splitting did not proved beneficial in
Chipsona cultivars (Kumar et at 2007)
 Effect of K source on yield and
economics of Chipsona cultivars
Tuber yield (t ha-1)
Net
B:C ratio
Sources of K fertilizer Processing- income
Total (Rs.-1)
grade (Rs. ha )
-1

Potassium chloride 26.5 a 32.7 a 61,951 a 2.55 a

Potassium sulphate 26.5 a 32.9 a 58,093 b 2.32 b

Potassium nitrate 25.0 b 31.5 b 33,862 c 1.53 c

MoP induce frost resistance higher than SoP

(Kumar et at 2007)
 Effect of K source on processing
4
quality6 of Chipsona
5 cultivars
3

7 Tuber
RS
Specific dry Chip
Sources of K fertilizer (mg/100g
gravity matter colour
FW)
(%) 2

Potassium chloride 1.084 a 21.8 a 1.8 a 32.2 a

8 Potassium sulphate 1.086 b 22.5 b 2.0 a 36.9 a

1
Potassium nitrate 1.086 b 22.3 b 2.0 a 37.1 a

9 (Kumar et at 2007)
 Effect of K source on chip yield and oil
content of Chipsona cultivars

Oil percentage of
Sources of K Percent chips
fertilizer chip yield
Flat Wavy

Potassium chloride 32.7 a 38.1 a 37.0 a

Potassium sulphate 33.2 b 37.4 b 36.4 b

Potassium nitrate 33.1 ab 37.6 ab 36.6 ab

(Kumar et at 2007)
 Effect of source and time of potash
application on Chipsona potato
• K-sulphate may be used than K-chloride, it
increases the tuber dry matter percentage and
chips recovery and decreases the oil percent of
chips without affecting yield.

• Current practice of applying K fertilizers as a

single basal application is also for Chipsona
cultivars preferable over applying K in split
applications

• Cultivation of cv. Kufri Chipsona-1&3 is most

profitable to the growers (higher net income)
because of a higher yield, while processing of cv.
Kufri Chipsona-2 is most profitable to the
processor, because of its higher dry matter
percentage and chips yield. (Kumar et at 2007)
 Fertilizer recommendation for
processing cultivars abroad

Country N P2O5 K2O

(kg/ha) (kg/ha) (kg/ha)

USA 200 100 200

Netherlands 240 120-180 100-200

France 150-200 80-120 250-300

 Effect of substitution of organics on yield and
quality of Chipsona potatoes
Treatment PGY TTY
(q ha-1) (q ha-1)
100 % Inorganic (I) 271.3 331.5
75 % I +25%N, FYM 261.2 325.4

50 % I +50%N, FYM 225.8 289.8

100 % N, FYM+BF 121.1 193.4
C D at 5% 25.1 25.5
 Integrated use of inorganic(75%) and FYM(25% on N basis) is
suggested for Chipsona cultivars
 Processing quality parameters viz. SG, DMC, CC and RS were
not significantly influenced due to substitution of organics
(Kumar et at 2008)
 CPRI view on secondary and
micronutrients

• Recommendations are made on soil test

basis only
 Role of Ca in potato nutrition
• Ca improves the storability of potato by
strengthening cell wall and giving stability to cell
membrane
• Ca improves tolerance to cold and heat stress and
impart resistance to specific defects like IBS
• Ca is 3 to 5 time higher in peel than tuber pulp
• Ca enters the tubers through stolons not tubers
hence tuber initiation is the best stage of
application in case of deficiency
• Ca needs of the potato crop are normally met if
SSP or CAN are applied to potato
• Sources: CAN (8.1%), SSP (19.5%), Ca NO3
(19.5%), Gypsum (29.2%) etc.
 Calcium deficiency

Growth fairly good; bushy appearance; young leaflets small, slightly

chlorotic, forward roll and marginal scorch. This plant failed to
form tubers of appreciable size
 Calcium deficiency

Calcium omitted, tubers dwarfed and useless; bottom: complete mineral

nutrient, tubers normal
 Role of Mg in potato nutrition
• Mg is the constituent of chlorophyll hence its
application helps in prolonging the life span of
potato plants.
• Mg have been reported to increase the ascorbic
acid content
• Mg does not form the constituent of the
commonly used fertilizes
• Mg needs in potato have been felt in hills
• Mg have interaction with K
• Source: Magnesium sulfate, Magnesium
carbonate
 MAGNESIUM DEFICIENCY
Magnesium deficiency

Central intervenal necrosis Field view. Leaves pale green, central

pattern intervenal chlorosis followed by
necrosis and withering
 Role of S in potato nutrition

• S application in alkali soils reduces common

scab through reducing pH values, hence
improves the appearance in problematic soils
• S needs is generally met if SoP (17%), AS
(23.7%) are being used in potato
• Source: Elemental sulphur
Extent of micronutrient deficiency in potato
growing areas in India
State
% age of soil samples deficient in micronutrients

Zn Cu Fe Mn
UP 75 0 33 2
Bihar 18 0 0 0
MP 79 0.2 6 55
Punjab 64 3 12 0
HP 76 31 0 0
Haryana 83 3 34 13
TN 26 47 15 24
Micronutrients deficiency and management
• Certain soil are deficient
• Increase in cropping intensity
• Lack of organic fertilizers
• Use of high analysis fertilizer

Micronutrients Soil application (kg/ha) Foliar spray (%)

Zinc Sulfate 25 0.2

Ferrous Sulfate 25 0.2
Manganèse sulfate 25 0.2
Copper sulfate 10 0.1
Ammonium molybdate 1 0.05
Sodium borate 1 0.05
Zinc deficiency (critical limit 0.62 for alluvial soils)

Fern leaf or little leaf appears on young developing leaves,

stunting, bronzing, yellowing of foliage around margins,
upward cupping
 Iron deficiency

Young leaver strongly chlorotic; veins may remain green;

margins and tips brown patches.
 Boron deficiency

Growth stunted; growing point killed; leaves dull

grayish green, changing to yellow before dying off
 Manganese deficiency

Leaves from near tips of shoots still green, but showing

characteristic brown spotting, mainly along veins
Effect of Zinc, Iron and Magnesium on processing
quality and yield of Chipsona varieties

 Supplemental sprays of Zn, Fe and Mg (0.2 % at 40 and 60

days after planting) alone or in combinations did not
significantly influence either processing grade or total tuber
yield.

 Processing quality parameters viz. SG, DMC, CC and RS

also did not significantly influenced due to foliar spray of
Zn, Fe and Mg.
 Water management

 Pre planting irrigation very important,

 Light and frequent (8-10 days),

 No stress specially during critical stages; and

 Stop irrigation 10-15 days before dehaulming

 Modern methods of irrigation

• Methods like sprinkler and drip saves 30-50% irrigation

water,

• Fertigation saves 25% nitrogen

• Yields are higher, weeds infestation low, tuber quality

good (greening, DM, appearance etc.)
 Irrigation requirements of K.Chipsona-1

425
400
T u b e r y ie ld ( q-1) h a

375
350
325
300
275
250 Proce s s Grade
225
Total
200
15 20 25 30 35
CPE (m m )

• Highest PG (>45 mm) and total tuber yield was obtained at 15

mm CPE
• SG, DMC,CC and RS not significantly affected due to
different irrigation regimes. (Kumar et at 2007)
 Irrigation requirements of K.Chipsona-2

350
) ha
325
T u b e r y ie ld -(q
1

300

275

250
Proce s s Grade
225
Total
200
15 20 25 30 35

CPE (mm)

• Highest PG (>45 mm) and total tuber yield was obtained at 15 mm CPE
• SG, DMC,CC and RS not significantly affected due to different
irrigation regimes.
(Kumar et at 2007)
 Importance of Weed control
Reduction in yield 10-80%
Compete for nutrients, moisture,
sunlight and space
Weeds as alternate hosts for
pests/vectors
Pests/Vectors Weeds
Epilachna beetle Datura stramonium L
Amaranthus caudatus L.
Myzus persicae Almost all major potato
Aphis gossypii. weeds
 Weeds & potato diseases
Diseases Weeds
Wart disease : Solanum pimpinellifolium.
S. sisymbrifolium.
Late Blight : Polygonum alatum.
Ipomea purpurea
Sonchus oleraceus L.
Datura stramonium
Early blight : Nicandra physaloides
Bacterial wilt : Datura metal, Amaranthus viridis
Polygonum hydropiper
 Critical period for weed
management

 20-40 days after planting

 After this crop covers the field.

 Pre-emergence herbicides
 Metribuzin @ 0.5 kg/ha
 Pendimethalin @ 1 kg/ha
 Prometryn @ 1.0 kg/ha
 Alachlor @ 1.0-1.5 kg/ha
 Linuron @ 0.5 kg/ha
 Oxyfluorfen @ 0.2 kg/ha
 Atrazine @ 0.3-0.5 kg/ha
 Isoproturon @ 0.5 kg/ha
 2, 4-D @ 0.5 kg/ha
Plant protection
 Thimet 10 G @ 10 kg/ha at earthing up,

 Spary of Mancozeb (Diathane M-45) @ 2.5

kg/ha from 15th November onwards as
preventive measures of LB at 10 days interval,
 After LB appearance spray mancozeb +
metalaxyl combination (ridomil, matco etc.) or
mancozeb + cymoxanil @ 2.5 kg/ha at 10-15
days interval
 Include systemic insecticides like metasystox,
imidocloprid etc. in every fungicidal spray to
control build up of aphids
 Dehaulming and Harvesting

 Dehaulm at full chemical maturity (110 days for

Chipsona cultivars), lowest sucrose level (SR)

 Harvesting 10-15 days later in clear weather

 If rains then delay

 Curing
 Improve storability
 Potatoes are heaped to a height of 1-
1.5 m with 4-5 m width,
 Heap should be in shade and
ventilated place,
 Never cover with polythene
 Duration 10 to 15 days
 GRADING

 According to requirement of industry

 Remove green, cut/crack, damaged

HANDLING AND TRANSPORTATION

 Processing potatoes should be handled like eggs

 Do not drop more than 40-50 cm

 quick transport ( truck/container-cool)

 no tarpaulin/polythene
 STORAGE

 For processing: 10-12oC with CIPC

 The synthetic bags of 40-50 Kg capacity should

be preferred for better CIPC distribution
Thanks, have a nice day