Neela Paudel ^1*, Kalika Prasad Upadhyay² , Giridhari Subedi ¹, Resona Simkhada³ , Sunil Aryal⁴ , Anuja Rijal¹ and Bihani Thapa^1
1National Potato Research Program, Khumaltar, Lalitpur.
²Directorate of Agriculture Research, Lumle, Kaski.
³Entomology Research Division, Khumaltar, Lalitpur.
⁴Horticulture Research Station, Malepatan, Kaski.
*Corresponding author's email: neelapaudel@gmail.com
*ORCID iD: 0000-0003-0289-8304

Abstract

This study was conducted at two different locations of Dhading and Tanahun district with the objective of assessing the postharvest losses of potato genotypes under ordinary room condition at farmer’s household. Potato tubers of eight genotypes (one released variety Janakdev and other seven pipeline genotypes CIP 392025.7, CIP 392797.22, CIP 393371.159, Techno 304405.47, Techno 393371.58, Techno 304351.109 and Techno 303381.3) were stored after curing for 10 days and evaluated in Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications in each experimental site from January to May, 2021. Data were recorded in 30 days interval. Observations were recorded on average weight loss, damage by tuber moth, days to sprouting, sprout length and damage due to rotting. The results showed that at the end of the storage period, average weight loss percentage was recorded minimum in genotype Techno 304405.47 in Tanahun and CIP 392797.22 in Dhading (7.61% and 13.44% respectively). 50% sprouting was recorded late in genotype CIP 393371.159 (98.33 days and 91.67 days respectively in Tanahun and Dhading) and average sprout length was also recorded the lowest in same genotype CIP 393371.159 (1.09 cm and 2.3 cm respectively in Tanahun and Dhading). Overviewing all the parameters recorded, potato genotypes Techno 304405.47, CIP 392797.22, CIP 393371.159 were found promising for their storability in ordinary farmers’ conditions at both experimental sites; which can be further recommended for release/registration process and later for commercial production in the mid-hill environment of Nepal.