Potato is the fourth most important crop in Pakistan, primarily grown in Punjab province. It has high yields and returns for farmers. The document outlines the production process for potato crops including optimal climate conditions of 16-25°C, suitable soil types of deep sandy clay loams at a pH of 5-5.5. Cultural practices include land preparation, seed rates of 800-1000 kg/ha, sowing methods, fertilizer application, irrigation, weed control, harvesting timing of 100-120 days, and average yields of 20-30 tons/ha. Key pests and diseases that threaten potato crops are also described such as viruses, nematodes, fungal blights, and recommendations to improve crop health and yields.

1. INTRODUCTION
Tahir Fazal

2. Topic Of Presentation:
Production Technology of
Potato Crop

3. INTRODUCTION
Over the years, potato has become an important
crop for both farmers and consumers in Pakistan.
It is the fourth most important crop by volume of
production and it gives high yields and high
returns to farmers. Almost 86% of potato area
and production of Pakistan is achieved from
Punjab i.e. Okara, Sahiwal, Kasur, Sialkot,
Sheikhupura, Jhang, Narowal, Pak pattan,
Gujranwala, T.T Singh, Khanewal and Lahore.
Remaining share is produced by KPK 9%,
Baluchistan 4.5% and Sindh 0.5%.

4. CENTRE OF ORIGIN:
SOUTH AMERICA
TECHNICAL NAME:
SOLANUM TUBEROSUM L.
FAMILY:
SOLANACEAE

5. Economic Importance:
It is the fourth most important food crop of
the world. One hundred grams of potato
possesses 22g carbohydrate, two gram
protein, 90 kilocalories energy, 13mg
calcium, 17mg vitamin C. potatoes are used
alone and mixed with meat, fish, chicken,
and vegetables.

6. Climate and Soil:
Potato is grown under temperate, subtropical
and tropical conditions. It is essentially a "cool
weather crop", with temperature being the main
limiting factor on production. Optimum
temperature for germination,
vegetative growth and tuber formation in potato
is 25°C, 20°C and 16-24°C respectively. The
potato develops best on deep, fertile, sandy clay
loams soil.
pH ranges from 5-5.5 is suitable for optimum
production.

7. Cultural Practices:
1. Land preparation:
Land should be given 2-3 ploughing followed by
disk harrowed.
2. Seed rate:
Potatoes are propagated by tubers, planted either
whole or cut into pieces.
Seed rate depends on tuber size; 800-1000 kg/ha
is generally recommended.

8. 3. Time of sowing and Harvesting: Potato
Crop Seasons:
Sow (Month) Harvest (Month)
Autumn Crop Sept-Oct Jan-Feb
Summer Crop March-May August-Oct
Spring Crop Jan-Feb April-May
The major produce of the potato crop is
harvested in the autumn season.

9. 4. Method of Sowing:
Potato tubers can be planted by keeping 20 cm
distance between tubers and 60 cm between ridges
manually or mechanically with tractor.
Spacing:
Plant to Plant distance is 30cm
Row to Row distance is 45-60cm

10. 5. Fertilizer:
Recommended NPK per acre is three bags
of urea, 2 bags of DAP and
one bag of SOP 50kg. All DAP & SOP is
broadcasted.

11. 6. Irrigation:
The first irrigation should be given
immediately after sowing. Normally 3-5
more irrigation are adequate, depending
upon the soil type and temperature.
Avoid flooding.

12. 7. Weeds:
Weeds are serious threat to potato
crop and may cause 20 – 30 per cent losses
of the crop.

13. 8. Time of Harvesting:
Potato crop matures in 100 – 120 days.
Drying of vines, hardening of
potato skin and yellowing of leaves are
the indications that the tubers have
gained maximum size and weight.

14. 9. Yield:
The average yield of
potato is 20-30 tons/ha.

15. 10. Pest and Diseases:
Potato viruses, powdery scab, potato cyst
nematode, aphids and white grub are the
most damaging ones. Fungal diseases like
Black Scurf, Late Blight, Early Blight
and Powdery scab or Soil borne
disease are wide spread.

16. BLACK SCURF

17. LATE BLIGHT

18. POWDERY SCAB OR SOIL
BORNE

19. Recommended Control Measures:
Wet poorly drained areas should be avoided for
potato cultivation.
Use disease free seed combined with seed
treatment with benomyl.
Apply boric acid before storage.
Destroy and burn the plant debris before
sowing.
Harvest carefully to avoid bruises and injuries
to potato tubers.