Effect of Maturity Days on Yield and Processing Quality of Potato Varieties

Abstract

ABSTRACT
Quality attributes of potato tubers particularly size of tubers, dry matter, starch and sugar contents are the areas of major concern of potato growers as well as processors. Three Indian processing cultivars (Kufri Chipsona-1, Kufri Surya and Kufri Frysona) were evaluated for yield and processing quality at three maturity dates (90, 100 and 110 days). Highest French fry grade tubers (25.54 t/ha) and total tubers yield (40.69 t/ha) were recorded at 110 days in cultivar (cv) Kufri Frysona. Maximum specific gravity (1.090) was observed in cvs. Kufri Chipsona-1 and Kufri Frysona at 90 days of harvest, where as highest average means specific gravity (1.088) was noticed in cv. Kufri Frysona. Highest dry matter content (20.06%) and minimum reducing sugar level (17.67 mg/100g FW); the highly desirable quality characteristics were achieved in cv. Kufri Chipsona-1 at 90 days of harvest. Acceptable French fry colour (<4.00) was registered in cv. Kufri Frysona at all days of harvest, while in Kufri Chipsona-1 and Kufri Surya it was 90 days. The lowest sucrose content (<150 mg/100g FW) was not obtained in any of cultivars at any days of harvest.

Keywords: potato-tubers, cultivars, sugars, chemical maturity.