Harvesting practices are to be followed very carefully. The time of harvest is very important in potato. The development of tuber continues till vines die.
The main crop is ready for harvest within 75-120 days of planting depending upon the area, soil type and variety sown. Yellowing of the potato plant’s leaves and easy separation of the tubers from their stolons indicate that the crop has reached maturity.
Post-harvest Handling-
After harvesting, potatoes are kept in heaps in cool places for another 10-15 days for drying and further curing of skin. Heaps 3-4 meter long, wide at the base and about 1 meter wide at the top are the best. In hills the harvested potatoes are spread in well-ventilated rooms for drying. Before grading, all the cut, damaged and rotted tubers are removed. The tubers are then graded and packed in gunny bags according to sizes preferably in 4 sizes, e.g. small (less than 25 g), medium (25-50 g), large (50-75 g) and extra-large (above 75 g).
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