Effect of Different Layouts, Spacings and Irrigation Systems on Pre and Post Harvest Qualities of Potato Enhansing the Farmers Income

A field experiment “Studies on effect of different layouts, spacings and irrigation systems on potato” was conducted at PG Research Farm of MPKV, Rahuri during rabi seasons 2011-12, 2012-13 and 2013-14 in Strip-split plot design with sixteen treatment combinations consisted of two irrigation systems (surface & drip irrigation) assigned into vertical strip, two planting layouts (broad bed furrows (BBF) & ridges and furrows) and four row spacing’s (30, 45,60 &75cm) assigned into horizontal strip replicated thrice, with objectives to identify the planting layout, spacing & irrigation system suitable for growth, yield & economics of potato crop. The 3 years pooled data indicated that all the growth and yield contributing characters viz. dry matter, no. of small, medium and big size potatoes, with tuber (21.43 t/ha) and haulm yield (8.36 q/ha) were significantly maximum in drip irrigated (T9 to T16 ) compared to surface irrigated treatments (T1toT8 ) at 75 DAP and at harvest planted at 60 x 20 cm spacing than rest of spacing on ridges & furrows, but was remained at par with 45 & 75x20 cm spacing (T5 toT8 and T13 to T16), compared to BBF (T1 to T4 and T9 to T12). The average lowest water use (192 mm), significantly maximum water use efficiency (WUE) (111.30kg/ha-mm), total nutrients uptake in treatment T15 (114.63N,38.51P and 91.09 K kg/ha,), net seasonal income (Rs.119680.74), total net income (Rs.2,12,068.12/-),B:C ratio (2.35) and the net profit/cm use of water (627.42) was observed under the drip method than surface method of irrigation (340 mm) and thus resulted in to 43.53 per cent water saving with significant increase in tuber yield. The significantly maximum total net income (Rs.2,15,399.06/-) in ridges and furrows planted potato than BBF, as well as the total net income (Rs.2,31,909.51) with the B:C ratio and the net profit/ cm use of water (558.12) was found at 60 x 20 cm spacing in ridges and furrows. The significantly maximum WUE of 88.51 kg/ha-mm was observed in ridges and furrows planted potato than BBF (T5 to T8 and T12 to T16) and at 60 x 20 cm spacing it was 87.56 kg/ha-mm than other spacing. It can be concluded that Planting of potato at 60 x 20 cm spacing on ridges and furrows with drip method of irrigation is recommended in medium deep soils of Maharashtra for better yield with quality, efficient water use and higher economical returns.