Abstract:
Good quality potato is the main bottleneck for the expansion and improvement of potato
processing industry in Bangladesh. Application of suitable organic manure viz.,
vermicompost also with required fertilizers might be improved its processing quality.
From the perspective, four years consecutive experiments were carried out in the research
field of Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University (SAU), Dhaka-1207 from November, 2015
to April, 2018. Thirty six (36) potato varieties were used as treatment under experiment 1
namely: BARI Alu-25 (Asterix), Cardinal, Rojato, BARI Alu-70 (Destiny), Festa Pakri,
Tel Pakri, Bot Pakri, Stick, Dora, Granolla, BARI Alu-68 (Atlantic), Raja, Binella,
Dheera, Sagita, Patrones, BARI Alu-29 (Courage), Provento, Felsina, Multa, BARI Alu28
(Lady
Rosetta),
Meridian,
Forza,
Saikat,
Laura,
Ailsa,
Cumbica,
Omera,
Rumba,
Jerla,
Elgar,
BARI Alu-71 (Doly), Agila, Quincy, Almerah and Steffi. The experiment 2
comprised of two factors viz., factor A: 4 Variety; V
ii
1
= BARI Alu-68 (Atlantic), V
=
BARI Alu-29 (Courage), V
3
= BARI Alu-25 (Asterix) and V
= BARI Alu-28 (Lady
Rosetta) and factor B: 5 Vermicompost levels; Vm
1
= 0 t ha
-1
, Vm
4
1
, Vm
4
= 9 t ha
-1
and Vm
5
= 12 t ha
-1
2
= 3 t ha
. The experiment 3 comprised of three factors namely,
factor A: 6 Variety; V
1
= BARI Alu-68 (Atlantic), V
2
-1
, Vm
3
= BARI Alu-29 (Courage), V
=
BARI Alu-28 (Lady Rosetta), V
4
= Alu-25 (Asterix), V
= BARI Alu-70 (Destiny) and
V
6
= BARI Alu-71 (Doly); factor B: 2 Vermicompost levels; Vm
5
1
= 9 t ha
= 12 t
ha
-1
and factor C: 2 Harvesting period; H
1
-1
and Vm
= 90 days after planting (DAP) and H
= 100
DAP. The experiment 4 comprised of three factors namely, factor A: 4 Variety; V
=
BARI Alu-70 (Destiny), V
2
= BARI Alu-71 (Doly), V
= BARI Alu-28 (Lady Rosetta) and
V
4
3
= BARI Alu-25 (Asterix); factor B: 2 Vermicompost levels; Vm
1
= 9 t ha
=
12 t ha
-1
and factor C: Harvesting period (2): H
1
-1
2
= 6 t ha
2
2
and Vm
= 90 days after planting (DAP) and H
=
100 DAP. The design used in the experiment 1, 2, 3 and 4 were RCBD, Split-plot, Splitsplit-plot
and Split-split-plot design, respectively with three replications. The results
revealed that, the variety and/or vermicompost and/or harvesting time have significantly
influenced most of the parameters studied under all experiments. Among the thirty six
potato varieties, Lady Rosetta, Asterix, Courage, Destiny, Doly and BARI Alu-68
exhibited the best results for tuber yield, specific gravity and dry matter content in
experiment 1. In experiment 2, Lady rosetta and Asterix performed better for yield and
processing qualities of potato. Vermicompost application at the rate of 9 t ha
1
also exhibited the best two doses for yield and processing qualities of potato over
control. In experiment 3, Lady rosetta, Asterix, Destiny and Doly showed better for yield
and processing qualities of potato compared to those other varieties. Vermicompost
application at the rate of 9 t ha
-1
showed the best one and potato harvested at 90 DAP
exhibited the best performance for most of the parameters studied. In experiment 4, the
Lady rosetta and Asterix showed better for yield, processing and sensory traits of potato
in combination with vermicompost at the rate of 9 t ha
-1
and tubers harvested at 90 DAP.
Asterix in combination with vermicompost at the rate of 9 t ha
-1
and tubers harvested at
90 DAP gave the highest monetary advantages (945,960 Tk). On the other hand, in case
of lower reducing sugar and minimum sweetness, vermicompost at the rate of 12 t ha
and tubers harvested at 90 DAP produced good quality potato. Finally, it may be
concluded that the potato growers may use the variety, Lady rosetta and Asterix for better
yield and good processing qualities under the prevailing climatic condition of AEZ-28
(Madhupur Tract) with the combination of vermicompost at the rate of 9 t ha
and the
tuber should be harvested at 90 DAP for producing good quality potato.