Bio-active compounds of potato influenced by vermicompost and tuber size during ambient storage condition

The research was performed to assess the effect of vermicompost and tuber size on the storage behavior of potato during the ambient condition.

The research was consisted of two factors, i.e., factor A: vermicompost level (Vm-4): Vm1: 0 t ha−1 (control), Vm2: 3 t ha−1, Vm3: 6 t ha−1, and Vm4: 9 t ha−1; factor B: tuber size (T-5): T1: 5–10 g, T2: 10–20 g, T3: 20–30 g, T4: 30–40 g, and T5: > 40 g. The research was conducted in a split-plot design where vermicompost levels were assigned to the main plots and tuber sizes to the subplots.

Vermicompost had a significant effect on most of the processing quality contributing parameters of potato. Processing quality parameters increased with increasing vermicompost level irrespective of tuber size. Among the 20 treatment combinations, vermicompost @ 9 t ha−1 with tuber size > 40 g exhibited the highest starch (23.81 mg g−1 FW), antioxidant (478.84 Trolox µMol 100 g−1 FW), polyphenol (96.133 GA mg 100 g−1 FW), and the lowest reducing sugar (0.1020 mg g−1 FW). In respect of ambient storage condition, starch decreased with increasing storage time; reducing sugar gradually increased with increasing storage time up to 40 days after storage (DAS) and after that slightly decreased and finally, potato became non-suitable for both table and processing purpose; antioxidant and polyphenol slightly increased up to 20 DAS and after that gradually decreased with increasing storage time.

Potato growers may use vermicompost for increasing and improving processing quality of potato.