Potato Production Research Articles

Analysing Technical, Pure Technical, Scale, and Economic Efficiency: A Case Study of Potato Producers in Khinjan District

Analysing Technical, Pure Technical, Scale, and Economic Efficiency: A Case Study of Potato Producers in Khinjan District

Risk Mitigation in Environmental Conservation for Potato Production in Cisangkuy Sub-Watershed, Bandung Regency, West Java, Indonesia

Potatoes are a crop that thrives in highland areas, and Bandung Regency is one of the major potato production centers in West Java. This production center is located in an environmentally focused village development area within the Cisangkuy Sub-Watershed of Bandung Regency. The purpose of this study is to identify risks arising from various risk sources and to formulate risk control strategies for potato production in this region. The method used is the house of risk (HOR) method. In farming activities, farmers must comply with environmental regulations. However, many farmers are still unaware of the importance of environmental sustainability, particularly in their use of chemicals. To actively engage in environmental management efforts, it is crucial to understand the characteristics of potato farmers in Bandung Regency, especially those located in the development area of environmentally focused villages within the Cisangkuy Sub-Watershed. The results of this study identified 33 risk events. The risk event with the highest impact is waterlogged plants (E10), with an impact value of 8.9. Based on the Pareto diagram, 16 priority risk sources need to be addressed. The most significant risk source identified is the use of uncertified seeds (A29). To mitigate risks in potato production, 21 preventive actions (PAs) have been proposed. One of the most effective strategies is for farmers to purchase seed potatoes directly from Balitsa (PA1), with an effectiveness ratio (ETD) of 4372. Another recommended strategy is to purchase certified seeds from other breeders (PA2). These strategies are prioritized to reduce the risks faced by potato farmers.

The Impact of Nitrogen Levels on the Growth, Development, and Yield of Orange-fleshed Sweet Potatoes (Ipomoea batatas L.)

Nitrogen (N) is one of the most important fertilizers in agriculture because it promotes the growth of plants and the uptake of other plant nutrients. This nutrient plays a significant role in determining the yield and nutrient composition of sweet potato root tubers. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the optimum application rate of N in sweet potatoes to maximize yields and increase growth efficiency. Four levels of N (50, 100, 150, and 200 kg/ha) were applied as treatments. A randomized complete block design was used, and each treatment was replicated five times. Vine length, leaf length, stem thickness, and chlorophyll content were measured weekly, and the storage root yield was determined at the end of the experiment. The results showed a significant effect of the N treatments on plant growth, chlorophyll content, vine length, leaf area index and storage root yield. The chlorophyll content and vine length increased with an increase in the N rate. However, an inverse relationship was observed between storage root yield and N rates; the highest yield was recorded for the 50 kg/ha N treatment and the lowest yield was recorded for the 200 kg/ha N applied. Therefore, a rate of 50 to 100 kg/ha N is recommended for the production of orange-fleshed sweet potatoes.

Transformation of Cropping Pattern through the Intervention of Potato Variety ACI Alu-10 (Valencia) to Ensure Food Security in Bangladesh

To transform the cropping pattern or add a new potato variety like ACI Alu-10 (Valencia) to the existing cropping pattern, it is essential to have adequate farmers’ knowledge and a favorable attitude towards that variety. In addition, the better performance of the variety in comparison to other market leader varieties is also necessary. Against such a backdrop, the present study determined farmers’ knowledge and attitude towards the potato variety (Valencia) and compare the selling price, yield, harvesting period, and cost of production of this variety with other potato varieties. Data were collected from randomly selected 139 farmers of Bogura and Joypurhat districts. A face-to-face interview followed by a structured questionnaire were used to collect data. The survey revealed that the Valencia users had higher knowledge and a more favorable attitude towards the variety than the non-Valencia users. The t-test showed a significant difference between Valencia users and non-Valencia users regarding the price, harvesting period, and cost of production, indicating that Valencia has a shorter harvesting period, higher selling price, and lower production cost. On the other hand, the result indicates that 62 days Valencia yield was almost near to the 74 days of other check potato varieties yield. By getting early and higher cash through selling Valencia, farmers can utilize the amount to improve their livelihood and solve problems. The findings may be helpful to policymakers in the decision to include Valencia in the current cropping pattern to increase potato production and food security in Bangladesh.

Ralstonia solanacearum Infection Drives the Assembly and Functional Adaptation of Potato Rhizosphere Microbial Communities.

Bacterial wilt caused by Ralstonia solanacearum is a destructive disease that affects potato production, leading to severe yield losses. Currently, little is known about the changes in the assembly and functional adaptation of potato rhizosphere microbial communities during different stages of R. solanacearum infection. In this study, using amplicon and metagenomic sequencing approaches, we analyzed the changes in the composition and functions of bacterial and fungal communities in the potato rhizosphere across four stages of R. solanacearum infection. The results showed that R. solanacearum infection led to significant changes in the composition and functions of bacterial and fungal communities in the potato rhizosphere, with various microbial properties (including α,β-diversity, species composition, and community ecological functions) all being driven by R. solanacearum infection. The relative abundance of some beneficial microorganisms in the potato rhizosphere, including Firmicutes, Bacillus, Pseudomonas, and Mortierella, decreased as the duration of infection increased. Moreover, the related microbial communities played a significant role in basic metabolism and signal transduction; however, the functions involved in soil C, N, and P transformation weakened. This study provides new insights into the dynamic changes in the composition and functions of potato rhizosphere microbial communities at different stages of R. solanacearum infection to adapt to the growth promotion or disease suppression strategies of host plants, which may provide guidance for formulating future strategies to regulate microbial communities for the integrated control of soil-borne plant diseases.

Clarifying the impacts of climatic coupling on plastic-mulching potato production in the loess plateau of China

ContextThe ongoing changes in climate constitute a major risk factor for global potato production. Recent studies have underscored the productivity-enhancing effects of plastic mulching for rain-fed potatoes. However, the adaptability of mulching measures to climate change in order to facilitate increased potato yields remains a question. Moreover, the coupling effects of different climatic factors on potato production was unclear. ObjectiveThis study aimed to investigate the impact of different climatic factors and their coupling effects on the yields of mulching and no mulching potatoes in the Loess Plateau. MethodsWe utilized multiple crop models and global climate models (GCMs) to predict the yields of mulching and no mulching potatoes on the Loess Plateau based on Shared Socioeconomic Pathway (SSP) 245 and SSP585 scenarios. Additionally, we analyzed the response of yields to the coupling effects of climate, and clarified the effects of main climatic coupling effects to yield of mulching and no mulching potatoes. Results and conclusionsWe found that, for mulching potatoes, the contribution of climate coupling to yield under the SSP245 and SSP585 scenarios ranged from 47.05 % to 49.31 % for the period 2021–2060 and increased to 49.09 % to 50.94 % for the period 2061–2100. The mean temperature (Tmen)-dominated coupling contributed the most to yield for mulching potatoes, while for no mulching potatoes, precipitation (Pr)-dominated coupling played a dominant role. The maximum temperature (Tmax)-dominated coupling significantly reduced potato yields in the future, and mulching measures exacerbated the negative effect. However, mulching measures eliminated the adverse impact of minimum temperature (Tmin)-dominated coupling on potato yields. After decomposing the coupling effects of climatic factors, we found that the main factors leading to a reduction in potato yield were Tmax and Pr couplings, with mulching measures amplifying the heat-moisture effects. But mulching not only alleviated Tmin and Pr coupling but also strengthened the Tmean and Pr coupling, resulting in increased yield. SignificanceHence, understanding how mulching potatoes avoid heat-moisture coupling to promote production was crucial for the future on the Loess Plateau. Our findings contribute to clarifying the impact of climatic coupling on mulching potato production, thereby aiding in the informed development of rational policies.

Linkage between Farm Households and Enterprises in the Production and Selling of Potato: A Case Study in Dong Trieu Town, Quang Ninh Province

This study aimed to analyze the status of the economic linkage between farm households and Orion Vina Food Co., Ltd. enterprise in potato production and selling in Dong Trieu town, Quang Ninh province. The study was conducted through in-depth interviews with 136 farm households (62 linked and 74 unlinked) with the direct interview survey method, and collected data were processed using SPSS. The binary logit model was used to analyze the factors affecting the decision of farm households to join the linkage. The research results showed that the linkage brought benefits to both the farm households and the enterprise, but there are still some limitations. The decision of households to join the linkage was influenced by factors such as production area, production experience, agricultural extension training, and membership in a cooperative. In order to promote economic linkages between farm households and the enterprise, the solutions that need to be implemented include: i) Raising farmers' awareness about the role of linkages in potato production and selling; ii) Strengthening support for farmers in terms of the enterprise providing technology and inputs for production and purchasing potatoes; and iii) Encouraging the local government to support the establishment of cooperatives, strengthen agricultural extension training to attract households to join the linkage, and increase the efficiency of potato production in the town.

Determining the Effective Meteorological Parameters on Potato Yield in Niğde Province and Yield Prediction with Machine Learning and Deep Learning Models

In this study, we explore the impact of meteorological parameters on potato yield in Nigde province, a key agricultural region in Turkey for potato production. Understanding the relationship between weather conditions and crop yield is crucial for optimizing agricultural practices and ensuring food security, especially in regions susceptible to climate variability. The study includes all meteorological parameters observed and recorded in Nigde Directorate of Meteorology, covering the period between 1990 and 2023. Through the analysis of historical weather data and potato yield records, we aim to identify the most influential meteorological factors affecting potato production. Then, artificial intelligence techniques such as Random Forest, Gradient Boost, Convolutional Neural Networks and Recurrent Neural Networks are utilized to predict the potato yield in order to provide valuable insights into how different weather patterns influence crop performance. The findings suggest that potato yield is correlated with meteorological parameters to some degree and AI techniques can predict the potato yield but lacks the precision. The reason is that potato production in Nigde is mostly done with irrigation. However, this further increases the risk that could result from the changes in groundwater levels and pollution in irrigation ponds for agricultural practices in Nigde.

Increasing Production Of Purple Sweet Potato (Ipomoea Batatas Poir) By Treatment Of Shimmer Fertilizer and Kaliphos

The title of the research was “Increased Production of Purple Sweet Potato (Ipomoea batatas poir) with Vermicompost and Kaliphos Fertilizer Treatment”. This research was carried out for 4 months in the experimental garden of the Faculty of Agriculture, Islamic University of Riau. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of interaction and the main effect of increasing purple sweet potato production by the treatment of vermicompost and Kaliphos fertilizer. The design used was a completely randomized factorial design consisting of two factors. The first factor was vermicompost fertilizer (K) with 4 levels: 0. 550. 1.100. 1,650 g/bundle. The second factor is Kaliphos fertilizer: 0.5. 10. 15 g/plant. Parameters observed were the number of tubers per plant (fruit), tuber weight per tuber (g), tuber weight per plant (kg), tuber production per mound (kg), harvest index, and fresh chestnut weight per plant (kg). The last observational data were analyzed statistically and continued with the BNJ follow-up test at level 5 %. The results of the study conclude that the interaction effect of vermicompost and caliphos fertilizer is significant on tuber weight per tuber, tuber weight per plant, tuber production per mound, harvest index, and fresh chestnut weight per plant. The best treatment dose was 1,650 g/mound and Kaliphos 15 g/plant (K3L3). The main effect of vermicompost fertilizer is real in all treatments. The best treatment dose is 1,650 g/mound (K3). The main effect of caliphos fertilizer is significant for all treatments. The best treatment dose is 15 g/plant (L3).

Efficacy of potassium schoenite as indigenous source of potassic fertilizer for potato crop grown in Western India

To attain the optimal production and quality, potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) farming requires a large amount of potassium fertilizers. Due to a lack of K mineral reserves, several nations, including India, import potassic fertilizers, which place additional financial strain on the country’s economy. Thus, potassium schoenite produced from sea bittern may present an attractive substitute for potassium nutrition in crop production. The current study examined the relative effect of indigenously produced potassium schoenite (PS) on potato crop. The findings demonstrated that potassium schoenite considerably increased potato growth, yield characteristics, yield, and quality of tuber. With 100% RDK (220 kg/ha K2O) through potassium schoenite + 1% foliar spray of potassium schoenite @ 30 and 45 DAP, the greatest yield attributes, total tuber yield and starch output were achieved which remained at par with 75% RDK (165 kg/ha K2O) through potassium schoenite + 1% foliar spray of potassium schoenite @ 30 and 45 DAP. Furthermore, potassium schoenite saves 25% K2O in potato production as compared to potassium sulfate and muriate of potash. Thus, indigenous potassium sources have been found to be far more effective than imported potassium sulfate and muriate of potash in enhancing potato productivity.

Prediction of Potato Volume by Neural Network Regression Model

Potatoes are essential for meeting the world's dietary requirements due to their high concentration of carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals. Potato production is plentiful worldwide, but postharvest processing losses have reduced potato quality. Potatoes can be graded manually, which is time-consuming and labor-intensive. In this study, a neural network regression model was developed to predict the volume of potatoes using 2D images, which can be used as a parameter for grading potatoes automatically. The image processing method was used to extract features like the major axis, minor axis, and roundness of 400 potato samples, and each potato's volume was thoroughly measured using the water displacement method, and a dataset was generated. These attributes were used to create the neural network regression model and predict the volume. The results revealed that the mean squared error (MSE) was 83.93, the root mean squared error (RMSE) was 9.16, and R2 was approximately 0.882. The potatoes were categorized into three groups: small, medium, and large, based on their size. The utilized model demonstrated an overall accuracy rate of 91.4%. Specifically, it achieved 90% and 85% accuracy for small-sized and medium-sized potatoes, respectively, whereas the model displayed a decrease in accuracy from 60% to 70% for large-sized potatoes. To summarize, the suggested neural network regression model provided an efficient approach to volume prediction using 2D images to improve the grading process of agricultural products.

Optimising Nitrogen Fertilisation in a Potato–Oat Rotation and Implications for Nitrous Oxide Emissions in Volcanic Soils

High nitrogen (N) fertiliser rates are usually applied to increase agricultural yields, leading to high nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions. This is a greenhouse gas that contributes to climate change and depletes the ozone layer. This study aimed to optimise N use efficiency and quantify N2O emission factors (EF1) by measuring the effect of N rates on the yield of a potato-cover crop rotation, apparent N use efficiency (NUE) and N2O emissions. The two-year experiment was carried out on volcanic soils (1.6% carbon, 1.4% N) in southern Chile (40°52′ S, 73°03′ W). Three N application rates were evaluated (80, 150 and 300 kg N ha−1), 35% of which was applied at the planting stage (granular) and 65% at the tubering stage. A control treatment with no N addition was also included. Reducing N fertilisation to 80 kg N ha−1 increased NUE by three times, reduced N2O-N emissions by 33% and reduced emission intensity by 27% without a detrimental impact on crop yield and marketable tuber calibre. No significant difference (p < 0.05) was observed in the N2O emission factor (EF1) because of a low rainfall year. The results suggest that in rainfed agriculture systems, N fertiliser application can be significantly reduced without sacrificing potato yield, favouring the economic and environmental sustainability of potato production.

Production and management practices and technologies used for growing potatoes and tomatoes

Purpose. The aim of this study was to assess production and management practices and technologies used by farmers for tomato and potato production, as well as their productivity. Methodology / approach. This research was conducted in Ziway-Dugda and Tiyo districts of Arsi Zone in Oromia National Regional State of Ethiopia during 2022 cropping season. Data were collected from 400 households in 10 kebeles (local administrative unit) of both districts using Kobo toolbox from respondents through face-to-face interview and descriptive analysis using SPSS version 22. Results. The results of the study showed that farmers in the study areas used different pre-harvest practices. These include cultivation tools and methods, planting locations, tomato staking, potato hilling and irrigation practices to successfully grow vegetables and increase land productivity by rotating different crops on their land. Various diseases, weeds and insects have been observed on their farms, which were managed by cultural, agronomic, mechanical and chemical management practices on tomato and potato farms during the last cropping years in the study districts. Thus, majority farmers in the study areas have used insecticides and fungicides on tomato and potato farms; but most of the weeds were removed by hand weeding. Most tomato and potato farmers have determined the type of chemical and its use from their own previous experience, in consultation with salespeople and extension agents in their regions. However, the study results showed that there are unused production and management practices for tomato and potato cultivation by some farmers. There are many production and management practices and technologies used by farmers to improve vegetable productivity in the study areas, although some farmers did not adopt improved production and management technologies, resulting in reduced production, which requires future interventions to increase their capacity through training and technology adoption. Originality / scientific novelty. This study stands out in the field of production and management practices and technologies used by smallholder tomato and potato producers due to its innovative approach and unique contribution to existing knowledge and skills. While previous studies have examined the relationship between production and management practices and technologies in an agricultural context, particularly focusing on state farms, our study focuses on small-scale tomato and potato producers. Through our thorough case study research and interview structure, we not only deepened our understanding of production and management practices in the agricultural sector, but also provided practical recommendations for improving the efficiency and sustainability of small-scale tomato and potato producers on different farms/fields. Practical value / implications. The findings of this study can be used to develop recommendations for policy makers and researchers on how to improve labour productivity in the future Thus, the policy focuses on developing strategies for producers to adopt modern production and management practices and technologies, raising farmers’ awareness of available technologies, improving management practices and increasing crop productivity in the study area.

Features of the Technology for Producing Potato Drink Concentrate Based on it

We have developed a technology that has no analogues in the world for the production of potato concentrate and a technology for preparing a new original carbonated soft drink based on it. Technology for the production of potato concentrate (from: fresh whole potatoes includes either crushed potatoes, or good-quality dry waste, or good-quality mashed waste) the following technological stages: acceptance of potatoes, washing of tubers, inspection of potatoes, peeling potatoes, boiling potatoes, preparation of amylolytic enzyme preparations, enzymatic hydrolysis (liquefaction and saccharification) of the boiled mass, clarification of the saccharified mass, evaporation, acidification, bottling. The technology for the production of potato drinks includes the following technological steps: water preparation, preparation of sugar syrup, concentrate processing, preparation of a citric acid solution, preparation of spicy aromatic infusions, preparation of color, preparation of a preservative, preparation of blended syrup, bottling of the drink. Promising areas of research in the field of improving the technology for obtaining potato concentrate are: the development of new technological schemes, the optimization of technology for hydroxymethylfurfural and melanoidins, the enzymatic method of enriching potato concentrate with fructose, the development of technologies for obtaining potato concentrate from the waste of the potato starch industry, and the technology of potato drinks is to increase their shelf life.

Economic Analysis of Potato Production in Bale Highlands, South-eastern Ethiopia

The study was initiated to identify the costs and benefits of economic profitability of potato production and factors affecting potato production at the small-scale farmer's level. This study was conducted in three districts. Purposive and random sampling techniques were applied to select 113 respondents. Primary data was collected directly from the respondent, through interview schedules, key informant interviews, and focus group discussions. Both descriptive statistics and the econometric model, the Cobb-Douglas production function model were used to analyze collected data. The average age of the sample respondent was 42.75 years, while the average household size was found to be 7 family members. The cost-benefit analysis results imply that potato production is profitable in the study area and farmers produce potatoes to improve their livelihood. The model result shows that amount of seed, fertilizer, and fungicide affect potato output significantly at 1%, 1%, and 5% respectively, while human labor was insignificant. The model result depicts that, 56% of the variations in output of potato production could be explained by the explanatory variables included in the model. The biggest problem or constraint faced by potato producer farmers in the area was the lack of improved variety. Therefore, Agricultural Research Centers should have to release improved variety that is relevant to the needs and desires of smallholder farmers.

The future of the Chimborazo paper sector: Strategic Management, development and road infrastructure

Introduction: Chimborazo, a mountainous province in Ecuador, stood out as a major potato producer. Its climatic and geographical conditions favored the cultivation of this tuber, which not only fed the local population but also boosted the regional economy. However, the quality of the road infrastructure posed a significant obstacle to the sector's development. Methods: The research aimed to explore the situation of potato production in Chimborazo, highlighting its potential and the challenges it faced, particularly regarding road infrastructure. The methodology applied consisted of reviewing information from official sources such as the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock, the National Institute of Agricultural Research, and the Provincial Government of Chimborazo. Results: The research determined that potato production in Chimborazo presented high potential, driven by favorable agroecological conditions and market demand. However, this potential was limited by poor road infrastructure, which led to harvest losses, increased transportation costs, and restricted marketing opportunities. Conclusions: It was concluded that investment in road infrastructure, including roads, bridges, drainage, and adequate signage, was essential to strengthen Chimborazo's potato sector. This would reduce losses, optimize transportation logistics, and expand market access possibilities

Establishing a critical phosphorus dilution curve for potato in semi-arid regions based on a Bayesian analysis.

Phosphorus (P) fertilizer use efficiency in potato production is relatively low in semi-arid regions, wasting P resources and increasing environmental risks. Therefore, improving P use efficiency (PUE) is critical for sustainable potato production. The critical P dilution curve (CPDC) and P nutrition index (PNI) have proven to be robust diagnostic tools for assessing crop P status and aiding in improving P fertilizer management. Several potato CPDCs have been established, however, few studies have been conducted to establish a CPDC for potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) under ridge planting with drip irrigation, a planting pattern that has been increasingly adopted in semi-arid regions. In addition, the different CPDCs established using the conventional Jestus statistical model cannot discriminate the true variability across scenarios or have become linked to estimation errors. Therefore, the objectives of this study were to (1) establish a potato CPDC based on a Bayesian statistical method and (2) evaluate the relationship between potato yield and PNI. Three years of field experiments with five levels of P2O5 application (0, 80, 160, 240, 320 kg ha-1) were conducted in Inner Mongolia, China. No significant differences were found between CPDCs across the year × site for the assessed scenarios, and thus, a generic CPDC for potatoes in the region was derived as Pc = 0.616 DM-0.296, and it can be used to calculate the PNI. Further analysis showed that at each growth stage, the PNI exhibits a significant plateauing linear relationship with relative potato tuber yield. Thus, it provides a standard for diagnosing the P nutritional status in potatoes and lays a robust foundation for precise P recommendations in the region.

Non-invasive, pre-symptomatic detection of potato cyst nematode infection in tomato using chlorophyll fluorescence analysis.

Potato cyst nematodes (PCN) are notorious pathogens in all major potato production areas worldwide. Mainly due to the low mobility of this soil pathogen, PCN infestations are mostly observed as patches ('foci') that only cover a fraction of the acreage. In-field pre-symptomatic localization of this pathogen is valuable as it would allow for the localized application of control measures. Although the mapping of foci is technically feasible, it is unpractical as it would take the analysis of numerous soil samples. We investigated whether chlorophyll fluorescence (Chl-F) could be suitable as a rapid, non-destructive method for early PCN detection. To this end, the impact of four Globodera pallida densities on the Chl-F of tomato was investigated in a phenotyping greenhouse for 26 days. Furthermore, classical plant performance indicators biomass and root surface area were compared with Chl-F. Thermal dissipation ('NPQ_Lss') and actual photosynthetic rate ('QY_Lss') responded at 1 DPI, while QY_Lss was most sensitive to low PCN infection levels. Chl-F parameters responded more readily to PCN infection than biomass and root surface area. The efficiency of photosystem II (QY_max) and the potential activity of photosystem II (Fv/Fo) initially increased at low PCN infection levels, whereas a sharp decrease was observed at higher infestation levels. Hence, our data suggest that low PCN levels promoted plant performance before becoming detrimental at higher levels. While Chl-F allowed for early and sensitive PCN detection, it remains to be investigated whether these signals can be distinguished from those produced by other below-ground stressors in the field.

Exogenous nicotinamide accelerates pyridine nucleotides metabolism and redox homeostasis: A novel strategy for extension of potato dormancy

The sprout of potatoes during storage threatens the post-harvest potato market supply chain. To reduce the massive economic losses in potato production industry, herein, the exogenous nicotinamide (NAM) was taken into consideration to maintain the potato quality. This study focused on the role of NAM on potato sprout development and revealed the possible mechanisms from the perspectives of energy and pyridine nucleotides metabolism. It was found that NAM delayed the sprouting and quality deterioration by down-regulating respiration rate and energy charge. Additionally, NAM stimulated the synthesis of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) in pyridine nucleotides cycle, which maintained redox balance and reduced the burst of reactive oxygen species (ROS) at the sprouting site. Our findings provide a novel perspective on the possible strategies of NAM for improving the quality of fresh produce.

Sustainable Potato Production through MAS and Late Blight Resistance

Sustainable Potato Production through MAS and Late Blight Resistance