The Kufri Khyati potato variety stands out in the realm of agriculture due to its high yield and early maturation characteristics. This white tuber variety is particularly suited for cultivation in the plains of India, offering a potential solution to the challenges faced by farmers in these regions. The variety belong to the parentage of Kufri Pukhraj.
Key Features of Kufri Khyati
- Tuber Dormancy: 10 weeks (Medium)
- Maturity: Early: 85-90 days under short day conditions
- Can also be cultivated as:
- Very Early: 60 days
- Early: 75 days
Resistance to Late Blight
One of the standout features of Kufri Khyati is its moderate resistance to late blight, a common disease that severely affects early maturing varieties. Typically, early maturing potatoes are highly susceptible to late blight, as resistance is often associated with later maturing varieties. Kufri Khyati defies this trend, making it a reliable choice for farmers.
Additionally, it exhibits moderate resistance to Phoma and early blight, further enhancing its desirability.
Adaptation and Cultivation
Kufri Khyati is well-suited for specific regions in India, including:
- Rajasthan
- Haryana
- Punjab
- Uttar Pradesh
- Bihar
- West Bengal
- Gujarat
- Madhya Pradesh
- Orissa
- Chhattisgarh
This adaptability makes it a strong candidate for replacing earlier cultivars such as Kufri Chandramukhi, Kufri Jawahar, Kufri Ashoka, and Kufri Pukhraj.
Advantages of Early Maturing Varieties
In the Indian subtropical plains, potatoes are typically cultivated under short daylight during winter. The demand for short duration varieties like Kufri Khyati is increasing for several reasons:
- Quick Harvesting: Potatoes can be harvested as early as 60 days after planting, allowing farmers to optimize their cropping schedules.
- Crop Rotation: Early bulking varieties can be integrated into farming systems, allowing for a rice-potato-wheat sequence without compromising biodiversity.
- Market Advantage: Early varieties tend to fetch higher prices, allowing farmers to capitalize on market demand.
- Climate Resilience: They can avoid the risks associated with frost and late blight, providing a more stable income for farmers.
Growth Characteristics
- Growth Habit: Tall (80-85 cm), erect, medium-compact, vigorous
- Stems: Many, thick, no color at base, well-developed straight wings
- Leaves: Open leaves with a green rachis, oval leaflets, rough surfaces, and large folioles
- Foliage Color: Dark green
- Flowers: White, medium in size, moderate flowering
- Tubers: Oval, pale yellow, medium-sized, with fleet eyes and light yellow flesh, absent stem-end discoloration
- Specific Gravity: 1.06
- Dry Matter: 15.0%
- Cooking Quality: Good
Kufri Khyati represents a significant advancement in potato cultivation for the Indian plains. With its high yield, moderate disease resistance, and adaptability to various regions, it offers farmers an opportunity to enhance their productivity while mitigating risks associated with traditional early maturing varieties.
