Abstract

Field experiments carried out for two years at the Central Potato Research Station, Shillong have indicated the effect of Ethrel (2. chloroethyl phosphoric acid) on the growth, yield and sprouting behaviour of potato cv. Kufri Jyoti Foliar spray of ethrel (100-800 ppm) at tuber initiation phase induced luaf opinasty and purple pigmentation. of the apical meristem. The plants exhibited a wilted appearance at higher ethrel concentrations, which also inhibited plant growth and induced leaf abscission. Those effects however, prevailed significantly during 1978 whereas in 1979 these responses were not observed as low concentration of ethrel was used. In both years. ethrel application resulted with significant abscission of flowers indicating that flowers were more sensitive to ethrel. Ethrel sprays increased the number of tubers per plant, but considerably reduced the tuber size. There was a significant reduction in tuber yield and sprout inhibition of harvested potato in ordinary room storage in both years.

Keywords: