TIME AND STAGE OF HARVEST AND HARVESTING TECHNIQUES FOR POTATO NextEnd

HARVESTING CARE a) Follow the practice of De-haulming [cutting of haulms / aerial parts by sickle or killing by chemicals (e.g. Paraquat) or destroying by machines] when the crop attains days and when the aerial part of the plant turns yellow. b) Always harvest in dry weather. c) Stop irrigation about two weeks before de-haulming. d) Avoid bruising and skinning of tubers otherwise tubers become susceptible to rot diseases. e) Harvest the crop after days of haulm cutting. PreviousNextEnd

HARVESTING OF POTATO The potato crop should be harvested soon after it attains maturity. The time of harvesting depends on the varieties grown. Preferably harvesting should be done on bright sunny days. The crop should be lifted when the tuber skin is hard enough to stand handling during harvest and transport from field to store. About a fortnight before harvesting, de-haulming should be done. NextEndPrevious

The cut haulms should not be left as such in the field. Dehaulming is also done much ahead of harvesting in case of late blight susceptible varieties to avoid late blight infection on tubers, the crops is de-haulmed when just 20-25% of foliage is killed by late blight. PreviousNextEnd

PRE-DIGGING PRACTICES PreviousNextEnd Do not harvest immature potatoes Stop irrigation 2 to 3 weeks before harvest PRE DIGGING PRACTI CES Pre harvest sprinkles of dry soil

Do not harvest immature potatoes Immature potatoes have very thin skins that rub-off easily during harvest. As plant maturity increases the tuber yield, tuber skin becomes thicker, tougher and more firmly attached. Skinned areas becomes brown and darken, allow dehydration and are often the starting places for decay. Harvesting before full maturity is a profitable procedure only when a premium price is paid. PreviousNextEnd

Stop irrigation 2 to 3 weeks before harvest If frost does not kill vines or if rainfall is not a factor, this practice allows a slow decline of the vines. Hastens and enhances skin set. Pre-harvest sprinkle dry soils Most soils form clods when drying. These clods are very abrasive, causing tuber skinning and bruising during the harvest operation. A light sprinkler irrigation softens the clods and minimizes the potential damage. PreviousNextEnd

ELIMINATE VINES BEFORE DIGGING Vines can cause mechanical difficulties in the digging operation. can also harbor certain insects and diseases. Whether chemicals, frost or natural senescence has caused the death of vines, eliminate the vines from the top of the beds. This can be accomplished by flaming or by using mechanical shredders or beaters. PreviousNextEnd

After harvest, use the new potatoes (which are small) immediately. The bigger potatoes can be stored for later. Mature potatoes can be kept for as long as six months or as long as you keep them in a cool, dark place that has enough humidity. Potato can be harvested early (August) at slightly immature stage. But these potatoes are not suitable for long duration storage. For supply of potato for longer duration, more than 80% produce must be stored during long freezing winter season. PreviousNextEnd

For storage, potato crop should be harvested at proper maturity for which irrigation should be stopped well before (12-15 days after haulm cutting). Produce should be kept in shady place for further cutting. Harvesting time in a region depends upon altitude and planting time. In most of the areas, potato crop is harvested in September when weather is dry and cool. At harvest, tubers are liable to considerable skinning, bruising and other damages, which subsequently lead to rottage if not handled properly. PreviousNextEnd

DRYING The following care should be taken during drying: (a) Always dry the harvested tuber quickly for improving their keeping quality. (b) Always dry the harvested tuber in storage shed and expose to sun should be avoided because it causes the greening of potatoes. (c) Do not store the tubers immediately if they are exposed to rain after harvest. PreviousNextEnd

CUIRNG The following care should be taken during curing: (a) Always follow the curing process at 25 o C with a 95% of relative humidity. (b) For optimum suberization, curing is essential for healing the wounds of tubers resulted from cutting and bruising during harvesting PreviousNextEnd