The potential for production of high quality seed potatoes in Tierra del Fuego Island, Argentina

Abstract

SummaryIn Argentina, different areas are suitable for seed potato production: however, each has particular problems, mainly related to different pest and diseases. Tierra del Fuego Island is well isolated from traditional potato growing areas. Therefore, it was tested for its potential for seed production.The cultivars Achatt, Mail6n INTA, Pampeana INTA and Spunta were grown in Rio Grande, San Pablo and Ushuaia from 1991-1994. Nematode presence and aphid population dynamics were recorded. Average tuber yield ranged from 20.1-37.6 t ha -1. After three years PVY and PLRV remained low (0-1% for different cultivars and locations). Moreover. seed tubers obtained were physiologically young. Long days, early frosts and strong winds may limit tuber yield in some years. The island can be considered as an ecological "'safe haven" and is very suitable to obtain healthy and physiologically adequate seed potatoes.

Survey of potato production and possible yield constraints in Argentina

“…The use of pre-sprouted and physiologically old seed is a pre-requisite to achieve acceptable tuber yield in such a short growing season and no YRF's have been identified. The results of Caldiz et al (1999) indicated an average yield of 22 t ha-I. During the period 1960-1985 cvs Huinkul MAG and Ballenera MAA accounted for more than 80% of the Argentinian market.…”

“…Occidental and persistent winds are predominant in the Magallanic Steppe, an arid environment, where only 10 ha have been grown in the "Jos6 Men6ndez" farm. A recent paper by Caldiz et al (1999) demonstrated, after three years of research, that the area is free from nematodes and the aphid population is very low. Crops must be grown from mid October-January in order to escape frosts.…”

“…As mentioned, a detailed description of the seed potato production system in Argentina is presented elsewhere (Mendiburu, 1986;Caldiz et al, 1999); nevertheless some relevant aspects are also considered in this paper.…”

“…Seed crops are grown during the summer from October/November to February/March, either in highland valleys such as Taft del Valle, Tucum~n; Las Estancias, Catamarca; Sierras Grandes, C6rdoba and Malargiie, Mendoza, or in coastal areas ( Fig. 3), such as the southeast of the Buenos Aires province (Haverkort & Caidiz, 1994) and Tierra del Fuego Island (Caldiz et al, 1999). The cropping area varies from 200 to 1,500 ha in different locations but tuber yields are quite similar in all cases (Table 2).…”

“…Currently, the use of imported seed is restricted to initial introductions of those cultivars required by the food processing industry that are not available in the country. For further information the reader is referred to Caldiz et al (1999) who recently discussed the evolution of the seed potato production system in Argentina.…”