On-farm Evaluation of Improved Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) Varieties through Frontline Demonstrations in the Indo-Burma Plains of Manipur, India

Abstract

The experiment was conducted during December, 2022–23 and 2023–2024 at four different locations to study varietal performance in the Indo-Burma plains of Manipur. Frontline demonstrations (FLD) of four high-yielding potato varieties, Kufri Chipsona-1, Kufri Pukhraj, Kufri Girdhari, and Kufri Kanchan, were conducted in farmers’ fields at four locations, i.e., Haorong Sabal, Kwasiphai, Mayang Langjing, and Phumlou, in the Imphal West district of Manipur. Across the demonstrations, Kufri Girdhari recorded the highest plant height, while Kufri Pukhraj produced the maximum number of stems per plant and the highest tuber weight per hill. Kufri Kanchan showed the highest performance in terms of tubers per hill, number of tubers per m² and tuber weight per m². It also recorded the highest total and marketable tuber yields. Kufri Chipsona-1 produced the highest number of small-sized tubers, whereas medium-sized tubers were most abundant in Kufri Pukhraj. Overall, Kufri Kanchan produced the highest total tuber yield, marketable tuber yield, and number of large-sized tubers. From the demonstrations, it was found that potato varieties Kufri Kanchan, Kufri Pukhraj and Kufri Girdhari performed well under the agro–climatic conditions of Imphal West district, Manipur. These varieties were recommended for large-scale production and horizontal area expansion to enhance productivity and improve farmers’ income and livelihood.