Sustainable Potato Production Research Articles

Research Progress on Physiological, Biochemical, and Molecular Mechanisms of Potato in Response to Drought and High Temperature

With the intensifying global warming trend, extreme heat and drought are becoming more frequent, seriously impacting potato yield and quality. To maintain sustainable potato production, it is necessary to breed new potato varieties that are adaptable to environmental changes and tolerant to adversity. Despite its importance, there is a significant gap in research focused on the potential mechanisms of potato resistance to abiotic stresses like drought and high temperatures. This article provides a comprehensive review of the recent research available in academic databases according to subject keywords about potato drought tolerance and high temperature tolerance with a view to providing an important theoretical basis for the study of potato stress mechanism and the selection and breeding of potato varieties with drought and high-temperature resistance. The suitable relative soil moisture content for potato growth and development is 55% to 85%, and the suitable temperature is 15 °C to 25 °C. The growth and development of potato plants under drought and high-temperature stress conditions are inhibited, and plant morphology is altered, which affects the process of potato stolon formation, tuberization and expansion, ultimately leading to a significant reduction in potato tuber yields and a remarkable degradation of the market grade of tubers, the specific gravity of tubers, and the processing quality of tubers. In addition, stress also adversely affects potato physiological and biochemical characteristics, such as reduction in root diameter and leaf area, decrease in net photosynthetic rate of leaves, production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and increase in membrane lipid peroxidation. In addition, various types of genes and transcription factors are involved in the response to drought and heat at the molecular level in potato. This paper illustrates the effects of stress on potato growth and development and the molecular mechanisms of potato response to adversity in detail, which is intended to reduce the damage caused by drought and high temperature to potato in the context of global warming and frequent occurrence of extreme weather to ensure potato yield and quality and to further safeguard food security.

Organic substitution regime with optimized irrigation improves potato water and nitrogen use efficiency by regulating soil chemical properties rather than microflora structure

Context or problemImproving water and fertilizer use efficiency is an inevitable choice for sustainable potato production in North China. However, the regulation mechanism of potato water and nitrogen use efficiency under water-nitrogen coupling (W-N) regime is still unknown. Objective or research questionThe objectives from a 3-year field experiment were (1) to assess the impact of W-N regimes on potato yield and water and nitrogen use efficiency, (2) to elucidate the soil microflora structure under W-N regimes, and (3) to determine the relationship between soil chemical properties, microflora structure, and potato water and nitrogen use efficiency. MethodsA three-year two-factor split-zone potato field experiment was conducted in arid and semi-arid regions of the Inner Mongolian Plateau, with irrigation [(rainfed (W0), optimized (soil-based) irrigation (W1), conventional irrigation (W2)] as the primary treatment and N fertilizer [no N (N0), chemical N (N1), 25 % manure substitution (N2)] as the secondary treatment. ResultsPotato yield and water productivity followed N2 > N1 > N0, and partial nitrogen productivity and nitrogen agronomic efficiency followed N2 > N1 at the same irrigation level. Potato yield, nitrogen internal efficiency, partial nitrogen productivity and nitrogen agronomic efficiency first increased and then decreased, whereas water productivity gradually decreased with increasing irrigation levels under the same fertilization regime. Moreover, potato yield, soil total nitrogen, organic carbon, and microbial biomass carbon and nitrogen content peaked with the W1N2 regime. W-N regimes significantly influenced soil microbial community structure. Soil microbial α-diversity was less variable under W1 and N2 conditions. Soil bacterial network complexity and robustness were higher in W1 and W2 than in W0 regimes, whereas the opposite was true for fungi. The complexity and robustness of the soil bacterial and fungal network demonstrated for three fertilization regimes were higher in N1 and N2 than in N0 regimes. Neutral community model showed that soil microflora in W-N regime was mainly influenced by stochastic processes. PLSPM showed that organic substitution regime with optimized irrigation improves potato water and nitrogen use efficiency by regulating soil chemical properties rather than microflora structure. ConclusionsW1N2 regime synergizes well to improve potato water and N use efficiency and soil microflora stability, and organic substitution regime with optimized irrigation improves potato water and nitrogen use efficiency by regulating soil chemical properties. Implications or significanceOur findings initially clarified the regulatory mechanisms of potato water and nitrogen use efficiency in North China, offering theoretical guidance for further optimizing irrigation and fertilization management.

Dry Matter Accumulation, Water Productivity and Quality of Potato in Response to Regulated Deficit Irrigation in a Desert Oasis Region.

As one of the most important food crops, the potato is widely planted in the oasis agricultural region of Northwest China. To ascertain the impact of regulated deficit irrigation (RDI) on various facets including dry matter accumulation, tuber yield, quality and water use efficiency (WUE) of potato plants, a two-growth season field experiment under mulched drip irrigation was conducted in the desert oasis region of Northwest China. Water deficits, applied at the seedling, tuber formation, tuber expansion and starch accumulation stages, encompassed two distinctive levels: mild (55-65% of field capacity, FC) and moderate (45-55% FC) deficit, with full irrigation (65-75% FC) throughout the growing season as the control (CK). The results showed that water deficit significantly reduced (p < 0.05) above-ground dry matter, water consumption and tuber yield compared to CK, and the reduction increased with the increasing water deficit. A mild water deficit at the tuber formation stage, without significantly reducing (p > 0.05) yield, could significantly increase WUE and irrigation water use efficiency (IWUE), with two-year average increases of 25.55% and 32.33%, respectively, compared to CK. Water deficit at the tuber formation stage increased starch content, whereas water deficit at tuber expansion stage significantly reduced starch, protein and reducing sugar content. Additionally, a comprehensive evaluation showed that a mild water deficit at the tuber formation stage is the optimal RDI strategy for potato production, providing a good balance between yield, quality and WUE. The results of this study can provide theoretical support for efficient and sustainable potato production in the desert oasis regions of Northwest China.

A complex biostimulant based on plant flavonoids enhances potato growth and commercial yields

IntroductionPotatoes are one of the world’s most important agricultural crops, with potential for making a major contribution to global food security. This study shows how a biostimulant derived from a plant extract can improve potato crop yield and global food supply. Successful potato production currently requires significant levels of inputs including fertiliser, pesticides and irrigation, however non-microbial plant biostimulants or mixtures of biostimulants with synergistic actions, have the capacity to reduce inputs and improve the sustainability of intensive agriculture.MethodsA complex biostimulant containing a number of flavonoids including protocatechuic acid, quercetin, chlorogenic acid, coumaroyl quinic acid and gentistic acid was tested against three potato varieties for its efficacy in improving plant growth characteristics and tuber production in controlled and field environments.ResultsIn containers, complex biostimulant treatment enhanced photosynthetic ability, with elevated levels of chlorophyll, higher specific leaf areas and significantly larger leaf assimilation areas. Treatment also significantly increased tuber yield by an average of 33% in tuber weight across three potato varieties and shifted tuber production toward larger sized tubers. The biostimulant derived from flavonoids was also assessed in 6 commercial potato crops and consistently increased total yield (average 5.2%) and marketable yield, representing an increase in margins of UK£700 per hectare across the 6 crops. Similar increases in yield were seen when comparing chitted and unchitted seed potatoes and both types of seed responded positively to biostimulant application. Biostimulant treatment had no significant effects on tuber specific gravity, dry matter percentage and starch content, except at one location where these quality characteristics were higher in the control plants.ConclusionThe flavonoid based complex biostimulant produced significant effects on potato yield and quality in both container experiments and in field trials indicating its potential for contributing to sustainable potato production.

Development and Validation of Near-Infrared Reflectance Spectroscopy Prediction Modeling for the Rapid Estimation of Biochemical Traits in Potato.

Potato is a globally significant crop, crucial for food security and nutrition. Assessing vital nutritional traits is pivotal for enhancing nutritional value. However, traditional wet lab methods for the screening of large germplasms are time- and resource-intensive. To address this challenge, we used near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS) for rapid trait estimation in diverse potato germplasms. It employs molecular absorption principles that use near-infrared sections of the electromagnetic spectrum for the precise and rapid determination of biochemical parameters and is non-destructive, enabling trait monitoring without sample compromise. We focused on modified partial least squares (MPLS)-based NIRS prediction models to assess eight key nutritional traits. Various mathematical treatments were executed by permutation and combinations for model calibration. The external validation prediction accuracy was based on the coefficient of determination (RSQexternal), the ratio of performance to deviation (RPD), and the low standard error of performance (SEP). Higher RSQexternal values of 0.937, 0.892, and 0.759 were obtained for protein, dry matter, and total phenols, respectively. Higher RPD values were found for protein (3.982), followed by dry matter (3.041) and total phenolics (2.000), which indicates the excellent predictability of the models. A paired t-test confirmed that the differences between laboratory and predicted values are non-significant. This study presents the first multi-trait NIRS prediction model for Indian potato germplasm. The developed NIRS model effectively predicted the remaining genotypes in this study, demonstrating its broad applicability. This work highlights the rapid screening potential of NIRS for potato germplasm, a valuable tool for identifying trait variations and refining breeding strategies, to ensure sustainable potato production in the face of climate change.

Influence of weather conditions in Central Polissia, Ukraine, on the expression of quality indicators in potato cultivars of different maturity groups

For Ukrainians, potatoes are a key foodstuff and the most important strategic crop in the vegetable segment, and therefore it is vital to investigate the quality characteristics of potato tubers. The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of various meteorological factors on the taste and starch content of tubers of different potato cultivars. The study employed laboratory, analytical, mathematical, and statistical methods. Both positive and negative correlation between starch content in tubers, taste, average monthly temperature, and precipitation were found in cultivars of different ripeness groups. For some potato cultivars, the positive effect on the starch content in tubers was due to the synergistic interaction of temperatures in August and precipitation in July, while for other cultivars this effect was determined by temperature and precipitation in August. It was found that an increase in temperature in August contributed to the improvement of the taste characteristics of early-ripening cultivars, while for middle early and mid-ripening genotypes, increased temperatures in June and August were key factors, and middle-late cultivars responded to increased precipitation in August. For each of the 19 cultivars studied, periods with a positive effect of average monthly temperature and precipitation on the improvement of taste were identified. The cluster analysis helped to identify potato cultivars with high starch content – Lietana, Opillia, Vzirets, and Oleksandryt, with high taste qualities – Lietana, Mezhyrichka 11, Vzirets, Avanhard, Partner, Oleksandryt, Fanatka, Rostavytsia, and Opillia. The findings of this study can serve as a scientific basis for the formulation of policies aimed at mitigating the effects of climate change and adapting existing cultivars to support sustainable potato production in a particular region and creating new plastic potato genotypes with sustainable quality characteristics

Effective bylaw implementation mechanisms for sustainable potato production in southwestern Uganda

Effective bylaw implementation mechanisms for sustainable potato production in southwestern Uganda

Disentangling Shifts in the Soil Microbiome of Potatoes Infected with Rhizoctonia solani Anastomosis Group 3-PT in Search of Potential Biocontrol Agents

Rhizoctonia solani anastomosis group (AG) 3-PT is a devastating pathogenic fungus that causes several diseases in potatoes both in South Africa and globally. The removal of various fungicides from the market and strict regulations on the use of synthetic chemicals make disease management difficult. Therefore, alternative, environmentally safe control measures are being considered, such as the use of biological control agents (BCAs). BCAs are an attractive alternative for improving plant and soil health of economically important crops. To identify key microbial indicators of disease suppression against R. solani AG 3-PT, a greenhouse pot trial experiment was conducted using soil from a potato-growing region in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. High-throughput sequencing of fungal internal transcribed spacer and bacterial 16S ribosomal RNA was used to characterize the respective fungal and bacterial community composition in the soil with and without artificial inoculation with R. solani AG 3-PT. Results indicated that the pathogen caused dysbiosis in the potato soil microbiome, leading to a shift in fungal and bacterial community composition. Differentially abundant microbial taxa in R. solani AG 3-PT inoculated soils suggest a promising potential for disease-suppressive activity. Network analysis also confirmed the presence of key taxa involved in the microbial community shifts, which could support their role in the suppression of R. solani AG 3-PT. The identification of key microbial indicators against Rhizoctonia diseases can contribute to the development of environmentally sustainable potato production systems, which are particularly important considering the implementation of the European Green Deal.

Effects of cultural practices on weed community and seedbank dynamics in a potato rotation

ContextStagnant yields and declining soil health are common characteristics of high-intensity, low-residue cropping systems, such as potato, particularly in northeastern North America. Incorporating cultural practices including cover cropping and manure application is a way to combat declines in agroecosystem health and potato productivity. However, manure application and the use of cover crops may exacerbate weed issues through seedbank additions. ObjectiveThis study was aimed at investigating how the cultural practices of cover cropping and manure application and their associated management activities can alter weed community dynamics and weed seedbank composition in a northeastern North American potato rotation. MethodsThe study evaluated the use of eight cover crop mixtures—annual and perennial grasses and legumes—grown over two years with/without manure added in year one of the rotation. It also examined the effects of the cover crop mixtures and the presence/absence of manure on the weed community and on seedbank dynamics within a three-year potato rotation between 2019 and 2021. ResultsIn year one of the study and directly after application, manure plots had greater weed seedbank density and species richness; however, this did not result in greater in-season weed biomass. Manure application resulted in a gradual decline in weed seedbank density over time regardless of cover crop treatment. Further, manure application increased the in-season competitive ability of cover crops, resulting in greater weed suppression per unit of cover crop biomass. In contrast, in the absence of manure, weed seedbank density remained largely unchanged through time regardless of cover crop treatment. We found that management practices associated with annual and perennial cover crops had distinct ecological filtering effects throughout the rotation on the weed community and prevented the dominance of any particular species. ConclusionTogether, our results demonstrate that combining the cultural practices of annual or perennial cover cropping and manure application contributes to weed suppression and should be considered an important component of sustainable potato production.

Effect of Irrigation and Nitrogen Management on Potato Growth, Yield, and Water and Nitrogen Use Efficiencies

Irrigation and nitrogen management are crucial for sustainable potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) production. A field experiment was conducted during the 2022 and 2023 growing seasons at Farmington, New Mexico, to evaluate the performance of two chip potato varieties (Lamoka and Waneta) under three irrigation regimes (full irrigation (FI), 20% deficit irrigation (DI) and 40% DI) and seven nitrogen fertilizer rates (0, 60, 115, 170, 220, 280, and 340 kg N/ha). The treatment combinations of irrigation regimes, nitrogen rates, and varieties were arranged in a split–split plot design with three replications as main plot, sub-plot, and sub-sub plot, respectively. The two-year results showed that irrigation regimes had the most significant effect on plant growth, physiology, and tuber yield of the potato varieties. For both Lamoka and Waneta, the plant height and canopy cover were lower under 40% DI than under 20% DI and FI treatments. The SPAD meter values were higher under 40% DI, followed by 20% DI and FI treatments, whereas the stomatal conductance was higher under FI, followed by 20% DI and 40% DI during both growing seasons. Regardless of nitrogen rates and variety, a 20% water-saving irrigation strategy reduced the total tuber yield by 4.5% and 22.1% in the 2022 and 2023 growing seasons, respectively, while the 40% water-saving irrigation strategy reduced total tuber yield by 36.8% and 58.2% in the 2022 and 2023 growing seasons, respectively, as compared to full irrigation. Shifting from full irrigation to 20% DI could save 711.2 to 1036.3 m3/ha of irrigation water. For Lamoka, the highest total tuber yield was obtained with 60 kg N/ha under 20% DI and 220 kg N/ha under FI in 2022 and 2023, respectively. For Waneta, the highest total tuber yield was obtained with 115 kg N/ha under 20% DI and 170 kg N/ha under FI in 2022 and 2023, respectively. Maximum water use efficiency (WUE) was obtained at 60 kg N/ha with 20% DI for both Lamoka and Waneta in 2022, while maximum WUE was obtained at 220 kg N/ha under FI for Lamoka and at 170 kg N/ha for Waneta in the 2023 season. The maximum nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) was achieved with 60 kg N/ha under 20% DI for both varieties during both growing seasons. Thus, for sustainable irrigation and nitrogen management, the application of a 20% deficit irrigation strategy with a lower nitrogen rate (60 to 170 kg N/ha) could be the best option to improve WUE and NUE with minimal tuber yield reduction. Our study suggested that 40% deficit irrigation would not be beneficial as compared to both full irrigation and 20% water-saving irrigation.

Adaptations of potato production to future climate change by optimizing planting date, irrigation and fertilizer in the Agro-Pastoral Ecotone of China

Future climate change, especially rising temperature and varying precipitation will have significant impacts on potato production. Revealing the optimum planting date, irrigation schedule and fertilizer amount under future climate scenarios is critical for promoting sustainable potato production in the Agro-Pastoral Ecotone (APE). In this study, two representative stations of Wuchuan (WC) and Zhangbei (ZB) in APE were selected, firstly, we used well validated APSIM-Potato model to optimize the planting date of potato in future climate scenarios. Then the impacts of different combination of N fertilizer and irrigation on potato yield, N loss, water use efficiency (WUE), nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) and economic income were analyzed under optimal planting date. The future climate projection was provided by 13 Global Climate Models (GCMs) from the Coupled Model Inter-comparison Project phase 6 (CMIP6) under two emission scenarios of future societal development pathway (SSP) 245 and SSP585. Compared with baseline period (1981–2010), the planting windows during 2040 s (2031–2060) and 2080 s (2071–2100) were wider, and the optimal planting dates (OPDs) for rainfed potato should be arranged later under SSP245, but it should be earlier under SSP585. However, the OPDs for irrigated potato should advance under SSP245 and SSP585. Then, we analyzed the coupling effects of irrigation and nitrogen fertilizer on potato production under OPDs in future climate scenarios. Irrigation was carried out based on the soil water deficit within 1 m depth (IR, ranged from 10 mm (IR10) to 100 mm (IR1) with the interval of 10 mm) and fertilizer was set with 8 treatments (N, ranged from 0 kg ha−1 (N0) to 210 kg ha−1 (N7) with the interval of 30 kg ha−1). To achieve highest yield, maximum amount of N (N7, 210 kg ha−1) coupled with IR10 (irrigation applied if soil water deficit beyond 10 mm) should be applied for both WC and ZB station. However, these combinations would accumulatively decrease groundwater table (GDT) by 70.8–76.5 m (39.1–44.8 m) and 78.7–80.2 m (38.6–47.4 m) during 2040 s and 2080 s, and induce annual N loss by 21.6–27.3 kg ha−1 (24.7–25.3 kg ha−1) and 17.7–21.9 kg ha−1 (18.3–21.2 kg ha−1) at WC (ZB), respectively. Net income of potato under different combinations of irrigation and N fertilizer ranged from −10700 to 25,500 Yuan ha−1 and from −4100 to 26,600 Yuan ha−1 at Wuchuan and Zhangbei. To maximize the income of farmers, N4 (120 kg ha−1) coupled with IR9 (irrigation applied if soil water deficit beyond 20 mm) should be applied at the two study sites. Our results would be helpful in developing adaptable strategies for potato production to cope with future climate change in the APE.

VIRAL DISEASES OF POTATOES IN KAZAKHSTAN

Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) is a staple food crop worldwide, including Kazakhstan. Viral infections represent a major obstacle to sustainable potato production due to deterioration of both qualitative and quantitative indicators. To determine the current status of the main viral diseases Y, X, M, S, PLRV, plant and seed material (tubers) from different potato growing regions of Kazakhstan was sampled. Multiplex polymerase chain reaction by reverse transcription (mpRT-PCR) and primers specific for coat protein (CP) were used to amplify the corresponding viruses. Monitoring of seed material revealed that the most prevalent virus in almost all regions, was potato virus S (PVS). Analysis of plant material sampled in the fields revealed that the most common viruses in the regions were potato virus M (PVM) and potato virus S (PVS). The work done to monitor viral diseases in different regions of Kazakhstan will provide a basis for directing future efforts to control and monitor the phytosanitary status of potato in the country.

Understanding and managing seed degeneration in potato: Implications for potato resilient seed system and food security. A review

Abstract Understanding seed degeneration in potato farming systems requires updated and pertinent information across different cropping systems and circumstances to find ways to deal with the problem. As a vegetatively propagated crop, potato is susceptible to pathogens and pest accumulation in seed tubers over successive cycles of vegetative propagation especially, where small-scale farmers replant their source seed for several production seasons. Seed degeneration in potatoes is a complex phenomenon, caused by a variety of soil, vector, and seed-borne pathogens resulting reduction in yield and quality of the crop. By providing an extensive overview of the current state of knowledge on the impacts and coping strategies of potato seed degeneration, mostly in the global south, this review aims to help underpin such relevant information and better development of the seed sector. This review article also provides insights on seed system bottlenecks leading to seed degeneration which impact food security and the livelihoods of smallholder farmers in developing countries including Ethiopia. We discussed the causes of seed degeneration and possible approaches to conquer the problem under smallholders’ perspective for sustainable potato production and improved food security.

Validation of QUEFTS model for nutrient management of potato (Solanum tuberosum) in humid south-eastern plains of Rajasthan

The crop/cultivar and location-specific management of nutrients, considering soil supply and plant demand of nutrients according to spatial and temporal variations are possible through the use of models such as Quantitative Evaluation of Fertility on Tropical Soils (QUEFTS) model. The experiment was conducted to validate QUEFTS model for fertilizer management to achieve higher productivity of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) cv. Kufri Bahar in the humid south-eastern plain of Rajasthan during winter (rabi) season 2020–21 and 2021–22. The results revealed that the tuber yield with application of 100% NPK as per QUEFTS model (T5) was 5.64% higher than fertilizer application as per soil test based 100% NPK recommendation for potato, whereas fertilizer application @125% NPKas per QUEFTS model (T6) was 16.5% higher than the T3 (125% NPK of RDF) treatment. However, use of 125% NPK as per QUEFTS model gave significantly higher emergence per cent, grade-wise tuber yield, and grade-wise numbers of potato tuber. On the pooled basis, higher values of gross income, net gain, and cost-benefit (B:C) ratio were observed with use of 125% NPK as per QUEFTS model. The results revealed that QUEFTS model may improve the nutritional quality and sustainability of potato production through site specific nutrient management by building improved fertilizer recommendations.

A large-scale assessment on spatial variability of potato yield and soil chemical properties in northern China

Understanding the spatial variability of potato yield and soil chemical properties is critical for designing management strategies and ensuring potato sustainable production. However, there has been no detailed investigation on a large-scale variation in yields and soil nutrients in potato production areas of China. In this study, 938 soil samples and potato production information were collected from the main potato-producing areas in northern China. The results showed that potato yields and selected soil properties varied considerably, with coefficients of variation ranging between 12.2% and 110.8%. Potato yield, pH, soil organic matter (SOM), total nitrogen (TN), available potassium (AK), and electrical conductivity (EC) showed strong spatial correlations, while mineral nitrogen (MN) and available phosphorus (AP) had moderate spatial correlations based on semi-variograms analysis. The spatial distribution of yields indicated that 83.3% of potato yields ranged from 20 to 60 t ha−1. The SOM, TN, AP, and AK showed similar spatial distribution trends with high concentrations in the northeast, while pH showed the opposite trend. EC was found to be highly variable with high values in the west. The high soil pH and low SOM were the most important constraints limiting potato productivity, and the high MN implied excessive nitrogen fertilizer application. The soil quality index (SQI) was calculated using selected soil properties, and a significant correlation between SQI and potato yield was observed. The spatial distribution of SQI showed that 42.2% of the study area was of low soil quality (SQI less than 0.6). A relatively low SQI indicated that there was great potential for increasing potato productivity in northern China. After dividing soil samples into rainfed and irrigated, the effect of soil nutrients on potato yield was found to become weaker at irrigated sites, where there was no correlation between SQI and yield, suggesting that the role of soil moisture overshadowed the role of nutrients. The spatial variability of soil chemical properties provided essential information for developing rational nutrient management strategies and regional planning to achieve sustainable potato production in China.

Potato viruses in Kazakhstan and methods for obtaining virus-free seed material

Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) is a staple food worldwide, including in Kazakhstan. The potato yield in 2021 in the country was only 20 tonnes per ha, which is a rather low indicator. One of the main reasons for the insufficient yield of potatoes in Kazakhstan is the low quality of seed material, and the main requirement for high-quality seed material is the absence of viral diseases. Viral diseases in crops are a major impediment to sustainable potato production, as they cause large losses in crop quantity and quality. To date, 40 viral potato diseases have been discovered worldwide. Depending on the infection of viral diseases, the yield can be reduced by up to 90% in crop production. In this review, we discuss in detail the current state of potato viral diseases in Kazakhstan and characterise the most common potato viruses in the country, including potato virus M (PVM), potato virus (PVS), potato virus X (PVX), potato virus Y (PVY) and potato leafroll virus (PLRV). To ensure food security of the country and prevent the spread of infection with viral diseases, popular methods (ELISA, RT-PCR and detection of specific types of targets using microarrays) for the early detection of potato plant viruses in seed and field material are considered. For the mass production of virus-free potato plant material, the use of temporary immersion bioreactors is discussed, as well as the use of modern genetic engineering methods to obtain plant varieties resistant to the most common viral diseases.

Understanding Potato Production Practices in North-Western Kenya through Surveys: an Important Key to Improving Production

Potato is the second most important food crop after maize in Kenya. However, most farmers produce potatoes under sub-optimal management, resulting in low yields, despite the introduction of improved varieties. Potato production practices were documented and compared to contribute towards improved potato management and productivity in Kenya. The study was guided by the hypothesis that potato farming and management practices influence potato performance and can depend on the production environment. Focus group discussions and household surveys were conducted in three major potato growing areas in Kaptama, Saboti and Lelan in Bungoma, Trans Nzoia and Elgeyo Marakwet counties in Kenya. Farming was the main occupation of 58.2% of the respondents. Respondents across the study sites indicated that they grew potatoes with their main focus as a cash (83.6%) and food (16.4%) crop. Most respondents had planted potatoes during both the last long (96.4%) and short (92.4%) rainy seasons. The four most important constraints limiting optimal potato production according to respondents were lack of quality seed, diseases (specifically late blight and bacterial wilt), poor marketing and lack of adequate technical knowledge on potato management. Low yields realized by farmers were mainly influenced by poor farmer practices in the use of seed, fertilizers, pesticides and crop rotation. This was compounded by farmers’ perceptions on input quantities applied, frequencies and farmers’ access to agricultural extension information on potatoes, which heavily relied on family members and neighbouring farmers. Provision of quality seeds and training of farmers with the support of demonstrations on fertilizer and pesticide and appropriate crop rotation practices are recommended for improved potato production and yields. Use of irrigation where possible should be enhanced through government and development partners’ support to ensure sustainable potato production and supply. Also, the use of viable extension information channel(s) could enhance potato production for household food security, livelihoods and national goals.

Performance evaluation of AquaCrop and DSSAT-SUBSTOR-Potato models in simulating potato growth, yield and water productivity under various drip fertigation regimes

Water and fertilizer are two important factors affecting crop growth and yield. Crop growth models are powerful tools for making irrigation and fertilization scheduling and predicting crop yield. The performance of crop models on potato under different irrigation amounts along with different N, P and K rates has been rarely evaluated, especially under drip fertigation. In this study, the accuracy of AquaCrop and DSSAT-SUBSTOR-Potato models in simulating potato growth, yield and water productivity under different drip fertigation regimes was compared. For model calibration and validation, a two-year field experiment with three irrigation levels (W1, 60% ETC; W2, 80% ETC and W3, 100% ETC, where ETC was the crop evapotranspiration) and four fertigation (N-P2O5-K2O) rates (F1: 100–40–150 kg ha−1, F2: 150–60–225 kg ha−1, F3: 200–80–300 kg ha−1 and F4: 250–100–375 kg ha−1) was carried out in a sandy region of northwest China in 2018 and 2019. The statistical indicators showed that the AquaCrop model gave satisfactory predictions of canopy cover (R2≥ 0.92, NRMSE ≤ 14.7%, d ≥ 0.96 and RMSE ≤ 10.8%), total dry matter (R2≥ 0.92, NRMSE ≤ 25.0%, d ≥ 0.94 and RMSE ≤ 2.2 t ha−1), final dry tuber yield (R2≥ 0.57, NRMSE ≤ 12.21%, d ≥ 0.82 and RMSE ≤ 0.83 t ha−1) and fresh tuber yield (R2≥ 0.53, NRMSE ≤ 12.02%, d ≥ 0.81 and RMSE ≤ 4.91 t ha−1) in the four fertigation treatments (F1-F4) under W3 and W2 during the two potato growing seasons. The final total dry matter and tuber yield under W1 were over-estimated. The simulated water productivity and soil water content also agreed well with the observations (R2≥ 0.91, NRMSE ≤ 5.51%, d ≥ 0.94 and RMSE ≤ 0.48 kg m−3, and R2≥ 0.40, NRMSE ≤ 14.8%, d ≥ 0.77 and RMSE ≤ 11.5 mm). The simulation accuracy of DSSAT-SUBSTOR-Potato model was lower than that of AquaCrop model, which only showed a goodness of fit between simulated total dry matter, soil water content, tuber yield, water productivity and observations under high irrigation amount with high fertilization rate (W3F4). Since the observed tuber yield increased with the increase of irrigation level (60–100% ETC) under the same fertigation rate, 120%ETC and 40%ETC were further simulated using the AquaCrop model to test the changes in tuber yield with further increased or decreased irrigation levels. The scenarios simulation showed that the tuber yield was only increased by 0.19%−1.52% under 120%ETC compared with that under 100% ETC, but 18.0% more irrigation water was consumed. Comprehensively considering water resources and tuber yield, the irrigation level of 100% ETC (W3) along with fertigation (N-P2O5-K2O) rate of 200–80–300 kg ha−1 (F3) was recommended for the sustainable potato production in the study region. The results of this study can provide guidance for the application of crop models in drip-fertigated potato.

Prediksi Waktu Tanam Kentang Sesuai Curah Hujan Menggunakan Analisis Spasial

Experts have recently highlighted a decline in food production, especially potato production when combined with climate change. With fluctuations in rainfall, planting time greatly influences potato production. To stabilize it, we can adjust the potato planting time by analyzing climate changes and land changes. So that the use of technology for forecasting planting times that is suitable for potatoes can be done to create sustainable potato production. The study area for this research is Batu City. This is because Batu City is one of the productive potato producing areas. Data acquisition was carried out using secondary data from two government agencies, namely the Water Services Agency and the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency. Table data obtained on monthly averages was processed using open source software, namely QGIS 2.14 (essen). Through research, we found a method to predict the appropriate potato planting time based on rainfall data. January to April is the recommended time to plant potatoes. Meanwhile, from June to October it is not recommended to plant potatoes.

Simple Sequence Repeats-Based Genetic Characterization and Varietal Identification of Potato Varieties Grown in Pakistan

The potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) is an important cash crop with a complex genome and with features of aneuploidy with a high level of heterozygosity. It is a prerequisite for potato breeding to have knowledge of genetic diversity and population structure. To understand the genetic characteristics of potato cultivars in Pakistan, 25 potato varieties were characterized with simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers to distinguish closely related varieties. In total, 214 alleles were amplified with 35 SSR markers exhibiting 89.2% polymorphism. The maximum number of alleles and polymorphic alleles per locus were 20 and 14 for the markers S25 and S174, respectively. The polymorphic information content (PIC) extended from 0.00–0.87. The size of the amplified PCR product ranged between (30–1000 bp). A cluster analysis divided the 25 varieties into three clusters: cluster I revealed the most diversity, followed by cluster II with 11 varieties and cluster III with 13 varieties. Nei’s genetic diversity and minimum spanning network (MSN) depicted the Mozika variety as the most diverse compared to the rest of the varieties. Nei’s coefficient was found to vary from 0.53 to 0.95. Out of the 25 studied varieties, 16 were uniquely identified by 29 polymorphic SSR bands of different sizes with a maximum size amplified by S4026/4027 (800bp) and a minimum by S170 (90bp). The genetic diversity and varietal identification determined in the present study has molecular and breeding-related significance with respect to the utilization and protection of intellectual property rights of potato cultivars for sustainable potato production in Pakistan.