On-farm storage of table and processing potatoes in heaps

Abstract

Heap storage of potatoes is commonly used in many states of India to avoid distress sale at harvest, but the losses in stored potatoes are generally enormous. Spray application of CIPC (isopropyl N-(3-chlorophenyl) carbamate) at the time of storage has been recommended to inhibit sprouting and reduce total losses in potatoes up to 90 days of storage in heaps. Sprouting in tubers was inhibited and total losses in potatoes were reduced (by 58.7%) up to 90 days of storage (temp. 19-31°C, 55-90% RH) during March to June. The farmers could market 6.5% more weight of CIPC treated potatoes (cv. Kufri Pukhraj) compared to the control (untreated) tubers due to reduced total losses and fetch 55.3% higher market price than the price at the time of harvest. In processing cultivar, Kufri Chipsona-1, reducing sugar concentrations decreased from 188.1 to 22.5 mg/100 g fresh weight during storage up to 90 days and chip colour improved significantly. Stored potatoes were found highly acceptable for processing by an industry collaborator (M/s Satnam Agri Products Ltd., Jalandhar) and were used in making good quality flakes and French fries. Findings established that the improved storage technology can beneficially be used to increase remunerations from potato cultivation and to preserve the quality of processing potatoes for three months at lower storage cost.