Storability Of Potato Varieties Under Ordinary Storage Condition In Panauti, Nepal

This study was conducted with the objective of assessing post harvest losses of potato varieties under farmers’ storage conditions. Potato tubers of 7 varieties (4 released varieties viz. ‘Janakdev’, ‘Khumal Upahar’ Khumal Ujjwal and ‘Khumal Vikash’; 2 registered varieties viz. ‘Cardinal’ and ‘MS – 42.3′ and a local cultivar viz. Panauti Golo) were evaluated in randomized complete block design with four replications under four farmers’ storage condition at Panauti-8, Kavrepalanchok district of Nepal during May 24 to Ausgust 11, 2019. Data were recorded on 20, 40, 60 and 80 days of storage. Observations were recorded on average weight loss, damage by tuber moth, days to sprouting, sprout length, days to shrinking, and damage due to rotting. The results showed that at 80 days of storage, the lowest weight loss (8.31%) was found in ‘Khumal Ujjwal’ followed by ‘Janakdev’ (8.74%) and ‘Panauti Golo’ (8.85%). Tthe difference between number of eyes and infested eyes was minimum in ‘Panauti Golo’ (1.65). Llate sprouting was observed in ‘Panauti Golo’ (68.5 days) and ‘Khumal Upahar’ (68.2 days). The shortest sprout length (2.3 cm) was recorded in ‘Panauti Golo’. Shrinkage was late in ‘Panauti Golo’ (79 days) and ‘Jankadev’ (75.8 days).No damage by potato tuber moth was observed in the flesh of ‘Panauti Golo’ and ‘Khumal Upahar’; however external infestation was detected in their eyes. Therefore, local cultivated variety ‘Panauti Golo’ was promising for its shelf-life in farm condition; which can be recommended for commercial production in mid-hill environment of Nepal.