Planting Methods of Sweet Potato and Potato
Sweet Potato (Ipomoea batatas) and Potato (Solanum tuberosum) are two important tuber crops grown widely in India. Though both are tubers, their planting methods differ significantly due to their botanical and growth differences.
Planting Methods of Sweet Potato
Sweet potato is a root crop propagated mainly through slips or vine cuttings, not by seeds or tubers directly.
1. Propagation Material
- Slips: These are young shoots that grow from a mature sweet potato tuber.
- Vine cuttings: Portions of the stem or vines cut from healthy plants.
2. Steps of Planting
- Preparation of slips:
- Mature sweet potato tubers are placed in warm, moist conditions to encourage sprouting.
- After about 3-4 weeks, sprouts 15-20 cm long (called slips) develop. These are carefully separated from the tuber.
- Land Preparation:
- Sweet potato grows well in light, sandy loam soils.
- Land is ploughed thoroughly, and ridges or raised beds are prepared, usually 75 cm apart.
- Planting of slips or vine cuttings:
- Slips or 20-25 cm long vine cuttings are planted at a spacing of 30-45 cm along the ridge.
- The slips are planted vertically with 2-3 nodes buried in soil, ensuring roots can develop.
- Watering is done immediately after planting.
3. Planting Season
- Usually planted in early summer (February-March) in northern India and during the rainy season in other parts.
4. Care After Planting
- Regular irrigation is required during dry periods.
- Weeding and earthing up the soil around the plants help tuber development.
- Fertilizers such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium are applied based on soil test recommendations.
Planting Methods of Potato
Potato is a stem tuber crop propagated mainly by seed tubers or tuber pieces with eyes.
1. Propagation Material
- Whole small tubers or tuber pieces with at least one or two “eyes” (buds).
2. Preparation of Seed Tubers
- Seed tubers are selected from healthy, disease-free plants.
- Tubers weighing about 40-60 grams are preferred.
- Larger tubers are cut into pieces with 1-2 eyes each and allowed to dry for 1-2 days to form a protective layer and prevent rotting.
3. Land Preparation
- Potato prefers well-drained, fertile loam soils.
- Land is ploughed twice or thrice and leveled.
- Furrows or ridges are prepared with spacing of 60-75 cm between rows.
4. Planting
- Seed tubers or pieces are planted 10-15 cm deep in the furrows or ridges.
- Spacing between tubers in the row is usually 20-30 cm.
- Tubers should be placed with the buds facing upward to ensure good sprouting.
5. Planting Season
- In northern India, potatoes are planted during late winter (January-February) for spring harvest and again in autumn (September) for winter harvest.
- In southern India, planting can be done almost year-round depending on variety and climate.
6. Care After Planting
- Irrigation is needed regularly, especially during tuber formation.
- Hilling or earthing up (covering the base of plants with soil) is done to prevent tubers from exposure to sunlight and to promote tuber growth.
- Fertilizer application with balanced NPK is essential for healthy growth.
Summary Table
| Aspect | Sweet Potato | Potato |
|---|---|---|
| Propagation material | Slips or vine cuttings | Seed tubers or tuber pieces |
| Planting depth | Shallow, slips planted vertically with nodes in soil | 10-15 cm deep |
| Spacing | 30-45 cm between plants, 75 cm between ridges | 20-30 cm between tubers, 60-75 cm between rows |
| Planting season | Early summer or rainy season | Late winter and autumn |
| Method | Planting slips or vine cuttings | Planting tubers or cut pieces |
| Soil preference | Sandy loam, well-drained | Loamy, fertile, well-drained |
Conclusion
- Sweet potato planting involves slips or vine cuttings placed shallowly in ridges, requiring warm soil and moderate irrigation.
- Potato is planted using seed tubers or cut pieces deeper in well-prepared soil, with proper spacing and hilling to promote tuber development.
Both crops require careful land preparation, good irrigation, and nutrient management to ensure a healthy and high-yielding crop.