Effect of Vermicompost and Tuber Size on Processing Quality of Potato during Ambient Storage Condition

Aims: The experiment was conducted to assess the effect of vermicompost and tuber size on processing quality of potato during ambient storage condition.

Study Design: Experiment was conducted in a split-plot design, where vermicompost levels were assigned to main plots and tuber size to subplots.

Place and Duration of Study: The experiment was conducted at the agronomy research field of Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, during the period from November 1, 2014 to April 30, 2015 and November 1, 2015 to April 30, 2016 in Rabi season.

Methodology: The experiment was consisted of two factors, i.e., factor A:- Vermicompost level (Vm-4): Vm1: 0 t ha-1 (Control), Vm2: 3 t ha-1, Vm3: 6 t ha-1 and Vm4: 9 t ha-1; factor B:- Tuber size (T-5): T1: 5-10 g, T2: 10-20 g, T3: 20-30 g, T4: 30-40 g and T5: >40 g. After harvesting, the potato was collected and stored at ambient condition for laboratory analysis.

Results: The research showed that vermicompost had a significant effect on most of the storage parameters. Results also showed that storage quality parameters increased with increasing vermicompost level irrespective of tuber size. Among the twenty (20) treatment combinations, vermicompost at the rate of 9 t ha-1 with tuber size >40 g showed the highest firmness (44.349 N), specific gravity (1.084 g cm-3), dry matter (22.77%), flesh color (L*- 75.60; a*- 11.76; b*- 24.96). In respect of ambient storage condition; weight loss increased with increasing storage time, while firmness, specific gravity, dry matter, flesh color decreased with increasing storage time. Quality parameters slowly decreased with increasing storage time up to 40 days after storage (DAS) and thereafter sharply decreased and finally became non-suitable both for table and processing purpose.

Conclusion: Therefore, the experiment showed that potato growers may use a higher dose of vermicompost for improving processing quality of potato and can store potato up to 40 DAS at ambient condition.