Potato can grow in Punjab in low temperature condition too

By Punjabnewswire AMRITSAR, MAY 7

By adopting certain changes in plantation and introducing new varieties, potato can be grown in Punjab at large scale even during the low-temperature conditions. This conclusion has been made by Assistant Professor Dr.Kanwaljit Singh at Department of Agriculture, Khalsa College, here, in his Ph.D thesis, which had been lauded as a major research work in the field.

 Dr.Kanwalji who was conferred the Ph.D degree recently by Guru Nanak Dev University had conducted the research and found that three varieties of potato including Atlantic, Lady Rosetta and Kufri Chipsona-I were right ones to be adopted for the cultivation. ``As this region witness low temperature, potato is difficult to grow but these varieties are fit for cultivation though sowing has to be planned in accordance with the experts’ advise’’,  said he.

 While thanking Principal Dr.Daljit Singh and Head of Department Dr.JS Bal for his research work, Dr.Kanwaljit said in Punjab more than 85000 hectare of area is under potato cultivation which can be enhanced and it will earn dividends for farmers as a cash crop. He also suggested
that to overcome the glut, the processing industry has to be introduced to process potato as chips or other commercial eatable items.

 He also stressed that varieties to be cultivated in Punjab could be highly beneficial for commercial diversification. He also thanked his guide and supervisor Dr.Gurbax Singh and co-supervisor Dr.RS Marwaha and said the study was important because Amritsar region of state was considered unsuitable for potato growing but they have found that if planted in first week of October, these varieties bring better quality and quantity and commercial cultivation is also possible in the region.