DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT OF AN IMPROVED ON-FARM POTATO STORAGE SYSTEM SUITABLE FOR CLIMATIC CONDITIONS OF SOUTHERN KARNATAKA
Loading...
Date
2009-03-20
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Agricultural Sciences GKVK, Bangalore
Abstract
An improved on-farm potato storage system was designed and developed. The
new system was basically an improvement over traditional heap storage in which a
tubular natural convection aeration system was incorporated. The aeration system
consisted of a perforated PVC pipe with vertical raisers at one meter intervals laid along
the length of the heap. Potato storage study was conducted for 90 days with one tonne of
fresh, suberized tubers using improved potato storage system at ambient conditions of
ARS, Madenur, Hassan during Kharif season. For comparison, identical traditional heap
storage was also laid out. Temperature and relative humidity was recorded at different
places inside potato heaps using data loggers throughout the storage period. Observations
on total storage loss, physiological loss of weight (PLW), loss due to rotting and
sprouting percent were made at 15 days interval. Biochemical parameters such as starch,
reducing sugars, total sugars and phenol content were analyzed before and after storage.
In improved storage system, the temperature inside the heap was around 2-3°C
lower and the relative humidity at any given time was uniform throughout the potato heap
when compared to traditional storage system. The PLW of tubers was 3.34 and 3.50%
after 15 days of storage which increased to 13.50 and 14.94% after 90 days of storage
respectively in improved and traditional storage systems. The tubers stored in improved
storage system were observed to be of good quality in terms of biochemical parameters
and the total storage loss was about 4.24% lower as compared to traditional storage
system.
Ten potato varieties / hybrids were also simultaneously tested for their storability
and quality at ambient conditions. For different varieties, the total weight loss of tubers
varied from 16.01 (Kufri Surya) to 28.29 % (MP/98-172) during 90 days of storage and
overall hybrid Atlantic showed good storability.
Description
Keywords
null