A variety screening trial of 5 BARI released high yielding potato varieties viz., BARI Alu-36, 37,40, 62 & 63 was conducted in 5 locations (Joypurhat, Sherpur, Mohonpur & Tanore) respectively in the last rabi season of 2018-19. Among the 5 varieties BARI Alu 62 was found to be suitable for the growers, seed dealers, local consumers and also traders due to its higher yield, nice appearance, good cooking quality, prolonged dormancy and its suitability for exporting potatoes. BARI Alu-63 was also found to be a good variety due to its higher yield, nice appearance and good taste as well. Hence it was recommended for the consumption as table potato. Due to early bulking and higher no. of tubers per plant of BARI Alu-40; this variety was recommended for early potato harvesters who want to catch early potato market. All the potato varieties were found to be relatively tolerant to major disease and insect attack too. #To enjoy my you tube video on BARI potato variety please follow the link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MbrObWrA2TE

1. Field Evaluation of 5 BARI
Potato Varieties
Presented by
Dr. S. C. Biswas

2.  Globally potato is considered to be the 4th important
crop after rice, wheat & maize.
 On an average, in Bangladesh potatoes are annually
cultivated in around 1, 34,000 hectares of land and
16,00,000 metric tons of potatoes are produced each &
every year.
 In Bangladesh average yield per hectare of potato is
around 11.40 metric tons and per capita annual
consumption of potato is around 13.30 kg only.
 Major potato growing districts are, Dinajpur, Rangpur,
Joypurhat, Bogura, Thakurgaon, Panchagarh, Rajshahi,
Munshiganj, Jamalpur, Gaibandha etc.
 Among the high yielding varieties, Diamont, Cardinal,
Asterix, Granolla, Courage are popular varieties.
 Besides improved varieties few popular local potato
varieties are also grown in Bangladesh and these local
varieties have a very good demand in the respective
growing areas due to their better taste & storage quality.

3.  Potato is a relatively short duration crop and fits easily
in the existing Rabi Season cropping pattern of
Bangladesh.
 Now a days due to availability of a good no. of improved
quality potato varieties released by BARI, use of tissue
cultured good quality potato seed and establishment of
a good no. of cold storages the potato growers are
getting more profits and it has become a very important
crop in the potato growing areas.
 Being a crop which produces tuber beneath the soil it
has got less chances to be contaminated by the
application of pesticides and thus it ensures safe
vegetable for the consumers.
 Potato cultivation ensures Industrial Agriculture as well.
 Potato is now being exported from Bangladesh and it
has become a source of earning foreign currency.

4. Local Potato Varieties
Local
name
Availability Life cycle
(days)
Characteristics
Ausha Tangail, Rangpur 100-110 Tuberization starts early, no. of tubers low, round,
rough skin, skin pinkish with rough creamy
patches, eyes low in number, pinkish, deep,
concentrated at the distal end, eyebrows
prominent.
Challisha Mymensingh,
Netrokona, Rangpur
100-110 Tuberization starts early, eyes low in number, no.
of tubers medium, round, medium, smooth skin,
skin creamy white, eyes low in number, medium
deep, more or less uniformly distributed,
eyebrows prominent.
Dohazari
Sada
Chittagong 110-115 Tuberization starts early, no. of tubers high, oval
round, smooth & shiny skin, skin pinkish with
creamy patches, eyes low in number, pinkish,
medium deep, concentrated at the distal end,
eyebrows prominent, tuber wt. is around 25-30
gm.

5. Contd.
Local
name
Availability Life cycle
(days)
Characteristics
Festa Shil Joypurhat,
Bogura
Tuberization starts relatively late, no. of tubers
high, oval, smooth skin, light reddish with whitish
patches on skin, eyes moderate in number,
medium deep, eye brows prominent. not uniformly
distributed;
Hagrai Bogura,
Gaibandha
110-115 Tuberization starts late, no. of tubers medium,
round & irregular, smooth & shiny skin, skin
pinkish white, eyes low in number, deep, more or
less uniformly distributed, tuber wt. is around 25-
30 gm.
Lal Pakri Bogura,
Joypurhat,
Dinajpur,
Rangpur
100-110 Tuberization starts early, no. of tubers low, round,
rough skin, eyes low in number, pink, medium
fleet, not uniformly distributed, eyebrows
prominent. tuber wt. is around 30-32 gm.

6. Contd.
Local
name
Availability Life
cycle
(days)
Characteristics
Lal Shil Bogura, Joypurhat,
Gaibandha, Sherpur,
Jamalpur
110-115 Tuberization starts slowly, no. of tubers high, oval
round shaped tuber, medium smooth skin, skin
red, eyes moderate in number, deep pink, fleet,
more or less uniformly distributed; eyebrows
prominent, tuber wt. is around 50-55 gm.
Patnai Naogaon,
Joypurhat, Dinajpur,
Mymensingh
100-115 Tuberization starts late, no. of tubers high, oval
shaped tuber, smooth skin, skin shiny red with
yellow patches surrounding the eyes; eyes low in
number, deep, more or less uniformly distributed;
eyebrows prominent, tuber wt. is around 25-30
gm.
Sadaguti Rangpur,
Gaibandha.
100-115 Tuberization starts late, no. of tubers high, round
& irregular shaped tuber, smooth skin, skin creamy
white, eyes moderate in number, medium fleet,
not uniformly distributed, eyebrows slightly
prominent.

7. Contd.
Local
name
Availability Life
cycle
(days)
Characteristics
Shil Bilati Rangpur,
Gaibandha
90-100 Tuberization starts late, no. of tubers low,
elongated & humped, smooth & shiny skin,
skin reddish white, eyes high in number, more
or less uniformly distributed, eyebrows slightly
developed and whitish coloured.
Surya-
mukhi
Joypurhat, Bogura 95-105 Tuberization starts early, no. of tubers low,
irregular shaped tuber, smooth skin, skin
pinkish white, eyes low in number, medium
deep, not uniformly distributed, eyebrows
prominent & pinkish.
Adapted from Kawochar et. al. 2014.

8. Compare between Local Variety
(left) & Improved Variety (right)

9. Objectives
 To identify suitable potato variety/ varieties for
their tuber production through tissue culture
method and increase potato seed sales volume by
adding these new variety/ varieties with the existing
varieties
 To utilize new variety/ varieties as a replacement
of the existing varieties
To asses the yield & other performances of the
selected BARI potato varieties across the locations
 To increase the confidence level of stakeholders on
BRAC potato seed program
To popularize the cultivation of improved potato
cultivars among the potato growers.
To demonstrate the profitabiliy of growing
improved potato cultivars

10. Locations & Experimental Methods
No. of Locations: 5 of 3 major potato growing
districts.
a. Rajshahi (Mohanpur & Tanore)
b. Bogura (Sherpur)&
c. Joypurhat (Sadar & Khetlal)
Total no. of varieties: 7 (seven). Land area: 10
decimal.
Season: Rabi’ 2018-19
Trial varieties: 5 ( BARI Alu-36, 37, 40, 62 & 63)
Check varieties: 2 (Diamont & Asterix)

11. Plot DesignN
S
EW
BARI Alu 36
BARI Alu 37
BARI Alu 40
BARI Alu 62
BARI Alu 63
Asterix (Check)
Diamont (Check)

12. Trial Plot of BARI Potato Varieties

13. Major Characteristics of 7 BARI potato varieties
Variety Characteristics
BARI Alu 36 Resembling ‘ Asterix’ variety but plants were healthier than ‘Asterix’. Oval to elongated shaped
medium size tuber, smooth skin and bright red attractive skin colour; time requires for cooking
is less than ‘ Diamont’. Parallel to ‘Asterix’ or ‘Cardinal’ variety; brief dormancy period. Nice
taste.
BARI Alu 37 Potato long oval shaped and medium to large & extra large size tuber. Colour light brown, smooth
skin, eye shallow, light yellow flesh, relatively susceptible to Rhizoctonia and a good no. of tubers
are damaged at harvesting. Relatively shorter dormancy period. Suitable for processing.
BARI Alu 40 Excellent plant vigour; no. of tubers/plant is relatively higher. Tuber medium or medium-short size,
both ends of the tuber is not uniform shape, yellowish white skin colour. More tasty than
‘Diamont’ . Early harvesting is possible. Moderate dormancy period.
BARI Alu 62 Elongated oval shaped tuber, parallel to ‘Diamont ‘ variety but higher tuber uniformity rate than
Diamont and shape as well as shininess are also better than ‘Diamont’. Attractive shiny yellowish
white skin colour. Taste is better than ‘Diamont’. Longer dormancy period and the tubers remains
healthy up to 8-9 months. Export quality variety.
BARI Alu 63 Round to oval shaped large & medium size tuber; smooth skin & skin colour is bright red. Very
compact type attractive yellow coloured flesh. Good colour after cooking & has excellent taste. It
has good adaptability also. Moderate dormancy period. Early tuber shrinkage during storage.
Diamont (Check) Hardy type plant, better yield, elongated oval shaped tuber. Light yellowish white skin colour.
Requires more time for cooking and higher processing loss due to irregular shape, wider
adaptability; always ensures better yield. Longer dormancy period.
Asterix (Check) Plants were relatively week and yield is very much affected by the environment. Oval to elongated
shaped medium to large size tuber, red skin colour; time requires for cooking is less than ‘
Diamont’. Less wt. loss during storage. Suitable for making chips. Relatively longer dormancy
period..

14. Variety Yield (Mt/acre) Comments
Joypur-
hat-1
Joypur-
hat-2
Sher-
pur
Raj-
shahi-1
Raj-
shahi-2
Mean ± S.D.
BARI Alu 36 13.93 18.94 15.27 15.00 13.13 15.25 ± 2.28 BARI Alu
62, 63, 37
& 40 were
found to
be
promising
varieties.
BARI Alu 37 12.57 17.83 17.43 14.00 13.20 15.01 ± 2.45
BARI Alu 40 15.78 15.18 14.78 14.58 10.10 14.08 ± 2.27
BARI Alu 62 15.72 17.84 17.74 12.33 14.84 15.69 ± 2.28
BARI Alu 63 16.37 15.58 16.28 14.67 15.87 15.75 ± 0.68
Diamont 13.95 15.73 15.42 16.66 14.26 15.20 ± 1.10 Check
variety
Asterix 13.06 16.13 15.13 9.33 12.40 14.34 ± 2.64 Check
variety
Yield Performance of 7 BARI Potato Varieties

15. Variety Total no. of
tubers
No. of
abnormal
size
tubers
% of
abnormal
size tubers
Uniformity
(%)
Comments
BARI Alu 36 22 1 4.54 95.46 The check
varieties
were less
uniform
than trial
varieties.
BARI Alu 37 23 1 4.35 95.65
BARI Alu 40 30 2 6.67 93.33
BARI Alu 62 25 2 8.00 92.00
BARI Alu 63 26 2 7.69 92.31
Diamont
(Check)
24 6 25.00 75.00
Asterix
(Check)
24 4 16.67 83.33
Uniformity rate (%) of 7 potato varieties (based on 3kg tubers)

16. Variety Tanore (kg) Mohonpur
(kg)
Mean
(kg)
Single tuber
wt. (gm)
Comment
BARI Alu 36 1.44 1.29 1.36 272.00 Highest tuber
wt. was
recorded in
BARI Alu 63
and lowest in
BARI Alu 40.
BARI Alu 37 1.62 1.57 1.59 318.00
BARI Alu 40 1.32 1.13 1.22 244.00
BARI Alu 62 1.26 1.22 1.24 248.00
BARI Alu 63 1.80 1.72 1.76 352.00
Diamont
(Check)
1.72 1.23 1.47 294.00
Asterix
(Check)
1.61 1.16 1.38 276.00
Wt. of 5 maximum size tubers (data from 2 locations)

17. Plot of BARI alu-37

18. Tubers of BARI Alu-36 & BARI Alu-
37 (after 4 months of storage)

19. Plot of BARI Alu 63

20. Tubers of BARI Alu 63

21. ‘Vorta’ (Potato mash) & ‘Bhaji’ (fry) of Asterix (left)
& BARI alu 63 (right)

22. Plot of BARI Alu 62

23. Plot & Tubers of BARI Alu 62

24. Compare between BARI Alu 62 (left)
& Diamont (Bhaji) (right)

25. Plot of BARI Alu 40

26. Plot & Tubers of BARI Alu 40

27. Plot of Diamont

28. Tubers of Diamont

29. Tubers of Asterix

30. Feed backs of Seven Potato Varieties
Variety Positive Feed backs Negative Feed backs
BARI Alu-36 Excellent colour & good shape & size ( no
tapering, both ends equally blunt). Liked by
the farmers & potato Seed Dealers.
Early sprouting (dormancy
breaking), yield variations grater
across the locations.
BARI Alu-37 Better yield, bigger tubers, suitable for table
potato.
No. of oversize potato is higher,
more damaged potatoes at
harvesting, less tolerant to
rotting.
BARI Alu- 40 Higher no. of tubers per plant, better yield,
early bulking, less sprouting. good taste.
Tubers with pointed ends, higher
frequency of smaller size
potatoes.
BARI Alu- 62 Higher yield, (no tapering, both ends equally
blunt), bright coloured tuber, yellowish
coloured flesh. Good taste. Prolonged
dormancy period, export quality variety, no
tuber shrinkage up to 8-9 months of storage in
normal temperature. Liked by the farmers &
potato Seed Dealers.
Slight fluctuation in yield
performance across the
environment.

31. Contd.
Variety Positive Feed backs Negative Feed backs
BARI Alu- 63 Higher yield, attractive deshi type tuber shape
but larger in size, moderate dormancy period,
excellent taste. Very much suitable as table
potato.
Tuber shrinkage occurs at long
harvesting period (more than 3
months) and has rotting problem
during storage.
Diamont Consistently gave higher yield, wider
adaptability, moderate dormancy, ensures
better yield.
Less uniformity rate of tubers,
processing loss higher due to
irregular shape, more time
required for cooking.
Asterix Less time required for cooking, bigger size
potatoes, high dry matter content hence
suitable for making chips, french fry and also
for exporting.
Less adapted variety ( less
emergence & stress tolerant)
relatively lower yield.

32. Percentage of sprouted & damaged tubers of seven potato varieties
(after 3 months of storage)
Variety Total no.
of tubers
No.
sprouted
tubers
% of
sprouted
tubers
% of
damaged
tubers
Remarks
BARI Alu-36 54 28 51.85 - Highest no. of tubers
sprouted in ‘Asterix’
followed by BARI Alu-36
& 37 while no sprouting
was observed in BARI
Alu-62 when they were
stored up to 3 months at
room temperature. And
spoiled tubers were
recorded in BARI Alu-
40 & BARI Alu-63 while
no spoilage of tubers
were noticed in the other
5 varieties when they
were kept at shorter
storage period.
BARI Alu-37 15 07 46.67 -
BARI Alu-40 29 13 44.82 3.45
BARI Alu-62 09 - - -
BARI Alu-63 46 18 39.13 2.17
Diamont 12 4 33.33 -
Asterix 07 04 57.14 -

33. BARI Alu-62, 40 & 37 after 9
months of storage at room
temperature
* BARI alu -62 exhibited prolonged dormancy and good keeping quality than all
the other 6 varieties.

34. BRAC
Plant
Tissue
Culture
Laboratory
& Its
Activities

35. Recommendations
BARI alu-62 can be a good replacement of much older
variety ‘Diamont’. Due to its higher yield and prolonged
dormancy it can be a source material for Tissue
Cultured potato.
BARI alu-63 was found to be suitable for marketing as
a new variety as well due to its Deshi type shape and nice
skin as well as flesh colour and good taste.
BARI alu-40 also has the potentiality to be an early
harvesting promising variety due to its early bulking &
early developed higher no. of tubers per plant.
Due to larger size tuber, BARI alu-37 can be a suitable
variety where there is a good demand for large size
tuber.