The objective of the seed production report is to identify various methods and technology for producing “Potato Seed”. Evaluation and identification of improved high-yielding potato varieties according to consumer preferences and user groups have been discussed. The seed production report helps in the identification of sustainable agronomic practices and profitable potato-based cropping systems.
A seed potato isn’t actually a seed; they’re tubers that you can use to grow new potatoes. It will be genetically identical to the parent potato. It’s the usual way that potatoes are made available to farmers and growers although it is possible to produce potato seeds (also known as True Potato Seed, TPS).
Potatoes do best in full sun. They can be planted in the early spring two to four weeks prior to the expected last frost date in your area. Seed potatoes planted in soil that is too cold or soggy may rot. Potatoes are aggressively rooting plants and will produce the best crop when planted in light, loose, well-drained soil. Potatoes prefer slightly acid soil with a pH of 5.0 to 7.0—acidic to neutral.
In this potato seed production report following areas have been comprehensively discussed:
- Recent technology & innovation trends in Potato seed technology
- Market forces impacting Potato seeds
- Details of commercially available solutions
- Competitive Perspective
- Future Direction
Technical Constraints
Most potato cultivars or tubers contain large amounts of asparagine, a non-essential free amino acid. It rapidly gets oxidized to form acrylamide, a carcinogenic product upon frying. Also, some are susceptible to late blight, a devastating disease.
Viable Solutions
Production of potato plant varieties that produce tubers with low acrylamide content, increased black spot bruise tolerance and reduced senescence sweetening. Thus, there is a need to develop potato varieties with reduced levels of toxic compounds, but without the use of unknown or foreign nucleic acids. To develop potato varieties with reduced levels of toxic compounds and increased resistance to disease.
Developing Potato Cultivars
Most of the potato cultivar/tubers contain large amounts of asparagine, a non-essential free amino acid that is rapidly oxidized to form acrylamide, a carcinogenic product upon frying. While some are susceptible to late blight, a devastating disease.
Low Acrylamide Content
The development of a potato cultivar designated E12 to seeds of potato cultivar E12, to plants and plant parts of potato cultivar E12 & potato cultivar X17, which have the tolerance to various plant-related diseases along with tubers that are produced have low acrylamide content hence makes it more compatible for consumption.
Advantages:
- Production of potato plant varieties that produce tubers with low acrylamide content, increased black spot bruise tolerance and reduced senescence sweetening.
- Potato cultivars produced are susceptible to late blight, a devastating disease caused by the fungus-like oomycete pathogen Phytophthora infestans.
- The produce hybrid potato tubers, seeds, plants, and plant parts produced by crossing potato cultivar X17/ E12 can be used with another potato cultivar for better crop production.
The 3G Seed Strategy
The 3G seed strategy relies on producing a large no of mini-tubers through one generation of a very rapid multiplication technology (RTMs), allowing bulking of sufficient seeds in only two field generations rather than conventional four to six.
The main RTM method is Aeroponics, which achieves a multiplication rate over 50:1 compared with the normal of 5:1. Aeroponics involves producing mini tubers from in-vitro cuttings in a total enclosed darkened box into which water and nutrients are sprayed as a mist. Minitubers are harvested from suspended roots.
CIP has adapted this technology in Peru to lower its cost by reducing the cost of components and saving on water and energy. 11 Aeroponics Units have been established and produced 1.4 million mini-tubers in Kenya alone.
Analysis showed that mini-tubes in Aeroponics can be produced for about 20-50%of the cost of mini-tubes via conventional pot production systems.
Potato Seeds Market
Market size: The global Potato Seeds market size is expected to gain market growth in the forecast period of 2021 to 2025, with a CAGR of 0.8%, and will expect to reach USD 17930 million by 2025, from USD 17390 million.
New technologies and superior varieties production are the growth drivers for the potato market. However, lack of access and awareness in emerging markets causes restrain.
The growing demand for potatoes as a vegetable along with the purpose of snacks is the door for new opportunities. But insufficient availability and the high cost of certified seed potatoes is a big challenges to overcome.
APAC (Asia-Pacific) is estimated to be the fastest-growing market for potato seed production. Increasing government initiatives in the emerging, potato chain partners have built up a very strong sector over the past century and together they control the cultivation, breeding, trade, processing, and infrastructure are driving the market in APAC.
- China and India are significant markets in this region.
- The Netherlands is the world’s major supplier of certified seed potatoes, with exports of more than 800 000 tons a year.
Innovative Products
ABILENE RUSSET is a medium late, high yielding potato variety with cream-white flesh color. Due to the long oval tuber shape and the perfect internal structure it has very good suitability for processing French Fries for the Fast food sector. The following features make it perfect
- Very consistent dry matter
- High resistance against Y-virus
- Resistance against nematodes Ro1, 4(9)
- Good tolerance for periods of drought and heat
- Very good uptake of nutrients from the soil
- Low susceptibility to common scab
AUSTIN is an early to medium early processing potato that has excellent suitability for the production of crisps. The low content of reducing sugars makes it perfect for long-term storage. The following features make it perfect
- Rapid early growth
- Presprouted and under foil early harvest possible
- Good tolerance for periods of drought and heat
- Resistance against Y-virus and nematodes
- Consistent underwater weight
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Agritech startup CropIn to work with Punjab Government
Bengaluru-based CropIn Technology Solutions,(India) an agritech startup that provides software as a service (SaaS) solutions to agribusinesses globally, has partnered with Punjab Agri Export Corporation (PAGREXCO), a government of Punjab enterprise. It will improve the quality of potato seed production in the state. Under the partnership, PAGREXCO will use CropIn’s artificial intelligence (AI)-powered technology to improve the quality of potato seed and incorporate a first-of-its-kind seed potato traceability in the entire value chain, CropIn said in a joint statement.
Transforming Company
South Korean biotech company, E Green Global (EGG), has raised US$9.2 million in a funding round from a venture capital fund, YD-SK-KDB.
YD-SK-KDB is a jointly established fund between Korean conglomerate SK Group, Korea Development Bank, and venture capital firm Yellowdog in November 2019. The startup aims to become a global market leader for seed potatoes through new ways of production and improved supply chain management.
EGG also claims that it has achieved the world’s first-ever success in commercializing Micro tuber Technology (MCT), which increases the production capacity and sustainability of seed potatoes.
Potato Technology Centre, CPRI, CIP
CIP delivers innovative science-based solutions to enhance access to affordable nutritious food, foster inclusive sustainable business and employment growth, and drive climate resilience of root and tuber agri-food systems.CPRI was established To carry out research, education, and extension on potatoes in collaboration with national and international partners for enhancing productivity and profitability, achieving sustainable food and nutritional security and alleviating rural poverty.
Potato Technology Centre, (PTC) Shamgarh
Potato Technology Centre, (PTC) Shamgarh, India in collaboration with Central Potato Research Institute (CPRI) in Shimla (India) and International Potato Centre (CIP), Peru, has started producing potato seeds in the air with the help of aeroponic technique. there is no need for soil and other growing media, potato seeds are grown in a moist environment. They claim potato seeds grown through this technology are free from soil-borne diseases.
Agro-technologies for the Future
It is essential to understand the future of the industry before making any investment. Therefore the potato seed production report hereby discusses the future. A team from the Federal Research Center for Biotechnology of the Russian Academy of Sciences rose to the challenge and presented the first pre-production prototype of a vertical farm. The prototype was developed in the framework of the “Smart City Farm” project initiated by the World-class Scientific Center “Agro-technologies for the Future which was opened in 2020.
The vertical farm consists of module stands with automated watering and multichannel LED lighting systems, as well as a set of microclimate and substrate sensors. Currently, the team is developing databases and analyzes the effect of adjustable lighting on various crops at different stages: from in vitro to nursery plants and final products.
Another important feature of the vertical farm and the controlled vegetation technology developed for its flexibility and universal nature. The system can be easily changed to fit a particular task. The team has already received the first commercial orders from major agricultural producers and potato processing companies. In the future, the scientists plan to develop a technology for controlled vegetation of essential-oil-bearing plants and vegetables, such as tomatoes and peppers.