Growth and yield of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) as affected by storage conditions and storage duration in Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria

This study was carried out in two seasons (2010–2011 and 2012–2013) in Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria to investigate the growth and yield of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) seed tubers as affected by storage conditions and storage duration. Five potato varieties (“Nicola,” “Bertita,” “Diamant,” “BR63-18,” and “Roslin-Ruaka”) were stored for three durations (12, 24, and 32 weeks) in three kinds of stores (room temperature store [RTS], diffused light store [DLS], and air-conditioned store [ACS]). The experimental design was a split–split plot in a randomized complete block design with the potato varieties, storage conditions, and storage durations as the main, sub, and sub–sub plots, respectively. All the parameters assessed varied with variety except the plant height. Germination and establishment were significantly higher in ACS than in RTS and DLS. RTS and DLS resulted in more aboveground stems than ACS. Storage in ACS resulted in a significantly higher plant height, leaf number, total number and yield of tubers, and yield of saleable tubers in both seasons. Seed tubers stored for 24 weeks resulted in the highest establishment count and the mean number of aboveground stems in both seasons. Aboveground stems increased from 12 to 24 weeks of storage and declined at 32 weeks. Seed storage for 12 weeks resulted in the highest total number of tubers, whereas 32 weeks had the lowest number of tubers in both seasons. Seed storage for 12 and 32 weeks resulted in the highest yield of tubers in seasons 1 and 2, respectively. In conclusion, potato varieties varied greatly in the rate of physiological aging; hence, every variety required specific storage conditions and duration for optimal growth and yield.