Estimation of Post-Harvest Losses of Potato in Markets of Some Selected Districts in Bangladesh

Abstract

A survey was carried out following questionnaire to estimate the status of post-harvest losses of potato from potato retailers in different markets of Comilla, Dinajpur, Mymensingh and Rangpur district. Basic information of potato retailers such as age, gender, educational qualification, marketing experience, ownership and their basic knowledge of stored variety, problems associated in stored potato, storage conditions, causes of losses of stored potato, common storage diseases of potato, possible reasons for rotting of potato in storage, primary source of potato, care of stored potato, most favorable and unfavorable period for potato storage were assessed by direct interview. The average incidence of soft rot, dry rot and scab was found 2.54%, 4.44% and 1.85%, respectively in November, 2019. The total losses due to post-harvest diseases in these markets were found 8.83%. Meanwhile, the total loss of potato due to physical abnormalities was recorded 13.78%. The highest physical abnormalities were observed green potato (6.20%) followed by cut potato (4.27%) and pitted potato (2.10%). This study was a preliminary step for the investigation of the idea of the retailers of the selected districts about the status, problems they faced for potato storage in markets. This was the first time survey from potato retailers of different districts in Bangladesh and estimation of potato loss in the market of Bangladesh.

Postharvest Losses along the Supply Chain of Potato in Bangladesh: A Micro-Level Study

“…It is not only used as a vegetable but also as a cash crop [6], [7]. After rice and wheat, potato is cultivated as the third most important food crop in the world in terms of human consumption [8]- [11]. In the Indian sub-continent, the cultivation of potatoes was probably started during the 17 th century [11]- [13] and in Bangladesh, it was introduced in the late 19 th century [9], [14] - [18].…”

“…After rice and wheat, potato is cultivated as the third most important food crop in the world in terms of human consumption [8]- [11]. In the Indian sub-continent, the cultivation of potatoes was probably started during the 17 th century [11]- [13] and in Bangladesh, it was introduced in the late 19 th century [9], [14] - [18]. Production of potatoes has been increased day by day due to the geographical suitability [3], [19]- [21] and the demand of lower-income people of Bangladesh [17], [22]- [24].…”

Lytic phages displayed protective effects against soft rot-causing Pectobacterium sp.

“…Bacterial soft rot disease causes serious damage among vegetable and fruit crops worldwide (Bhat et al, 2010). Annual post-harvest losses due to bacterial soft rot vary from 15-30% of the harvested crops and at least 30-50% of the 65 million tons of vegetables in public markets (Bhat et al, 2010; Monjil et al, 2021; Rahman et al, 2012). Soft rot disease results from infections by several types of bacteria, but most commonly by members of the soft rot Pectobacteriaceae (SRP) including Pectobacterium carotovorum subsp.…”