Advances in innovative seed potato production systems in India

Abstract

India is the second largest producer of potatoes in the world. Seed is the single most important input in potato cultivation. High seed rate (2.5–3.0 tons/ha), low rate of multiplication, progressive viral degeneration, storage, and transportation are major issues of potato seed production in the country. Potato seed alone accounts for 40%-50% of the total potato production cost, and huge quantities of potentially edible food is put back into the soil as potato seed. The delayed penetration of new improved potato/seed varieties into farmers’ fields due to the slow multiplication rate and frequent seed replacement because of degeneration are associated issues. To circumvent these issues, continuous efforts are being made by potato researchers to develop innovative technologies for quick multiplication of initial healthy breeder’s seed of the released varieties in sufficient quantities to meet the demand in our country. A paradigm shift in potato seed production methods has taken place globally since the early 1900s. Major potato producers of the world have shifted from conventional to hi-tech seed production systems to improve the seed quality and enhance seed multiplication rate. New innovations can overcome many of the problems associated with potato seed production, particularly in tropical and sub-tropical countries. Recent advances in potato seed production systems in India and challenges ahead for seed production are described here.

Can rooted apical cuttings complement seed systems to improve availability of quality seed potato in Africa?—The case of Kenya

“…They also obtained on average 10.1 and 12.1 first generation tubers per RAC, respectively. This is more than the 7-10 tubers per cutting reported by Buckseth et al (2022). It is important to note, however, that an average of 12+ first generation seed tubers per RAC were obtained by 60% and 55% of the seed multipliers and potato farmers, respectively.…”

Responsible Innovation in Plant Breeding: The Case of Hybrid Potato Breeding

“…The emphasis on Africa was largely motivated by the large and persistent yield gap of potato in this continent due to a lack of good seed and a range of pathogens that resourcepoor smallholder farmers struggle to control [16][17][18][19]. Under such harsh socio-ecological conditions, hybrid potato may offer a significant contribution to food security and related SDGs, whereas in China and India, as prominent potato producers, the socio-ecological and institutional conditions are more favorable, and national initiatives have already been initiated to develop domestic hybrid potato breeding programs [53,54], see also Section 7.1.…”

“…Hybrid breeding will allow breeders to respond much quicker to new market demands, with a significantly higher variety turn-over than in conventional potato breeding. The potential of hybrid potato has now been generally recognized, and fundamental hybrid breeding programs have been launched in the largest potato-producing countries, China, India and the USA [53,54,60]. However, building new hybrid breeding programs from scratch requires long-term efforts and high commercial investments [7].…”

Aeroponic Seed Potato Production: A Promising and Sustainable Strategy for Seed Potato Production in Pakistan

“…It has been suggested that a viable solution might be to employ currently available technologies when operating in a controlled environment. Among these technologies, soilless cultivation/aeroponic is a promising option in terms of seed potato production (Buckseth et al, 2022).…”