1. Potato production in India hovers around 25-28 million tonnes annually, accounting for around 8% of global production. However, India's population is projected to reach 1.3 billion by 2020, requiring an estimated 49 million tonnes of potato. 2. Both formal and informal seed production systems are used in India to supply potato seed to farmers. However, the informal system is more prevalent and important due to the inability of the formal system to meet the large seed requirements of most potato growers. 3. The document outlines efforts in Uttarakhand to integrate in vitro multiplication techniques into the informal seed production system. This includes producing disease-free planting material via tissue culture, training farmers,

1. Vandana A. Kumar and Atul Kumar
G.B.PANT UNIVERSITY OF AG.&TECH.,INDIA

2. Currently, India : the third‐largest producer in the world.
The production level hovers around 25‐28 million tonnes.
Produces around 8% of the world’s total produce.
The productivity level is nearly 17‐20 tonnes/ha.
By 2020 : 1.3 billion population of India will need 49
million tonnes of potato: certainly a challenging
task ???
Production of healthy seed potato - accounts for about 40-
50% of total cost of cultivation.
Breeder’ seed : Reaches the farmers : 7-8 field exposures : For
raising a ware crop (only 30% of ‘Breeder’ seed requirement of country
met through FORMAL system).
Requirement of quality potato seed growing farmers: not
fully met through ‘Formal seed supply chain’
Indian scenario……..

3. The INFORMAL system‐ more important and prevalent than
FORMAL system in most potato growing countries.
FORMAL systems are, as a rule, unable to provide the quantities
needed for majority of potato growing farmers. But…
INFORMAL system ‐ *widespread informal exchange of potato
seed and *based on mutual trust & obligation for promised
quality/variety
Depends on FORMAL system: needs , now and then, *fresh clean
material or *new varieties to continue.
Hence, in more and more potato growing countries, the govt.
authorities/agricultural institutions have begun to realize the role of
INFORMAL sector and have started supporting it actively.

4. Production of clonal disease free quality seed material
–Through in vitro multiplication methods using nodal segments of
disease free mother plants of latest released / recommended
varieties.
–Field planting of in vitro propagated planting material (hardened
microplants/microtuber-raised plats) for developing mini tuber
seed material.
Enabling farmers by generating awareness amongst them for using
this hi‐tech (clonal, disease free) planting material in form of
hardened microplants/microtuber‐raised plants/mini tubers.
*Testing of this hi‐tech. material at farmers field and recording of
yield data, quality of potato tubers produced and tracking the
farmers/ planting material and produce to study the adoption
pattern and continuation.
Imparting “ON‐FARM/OFF‐FARM” training towards handling and
storage of produce, *to develop CONSORTIUM of potato growers and
*to develop confidence regarding this INFORMAL seed production
chain and exchange of this material amongst them.
Horticulture Technology Mini‐Mission Mandate with a BROAD OBJECTIVE of
INTEGRATION OF IN VITRO TECHNIQUES IN INFORMAL SEED
PRODUCTION SYSTEMS OF POTATO

5. FORMAL / INFORMAL SEED PRODUCTION SYSTEM
*Alternate methods of potato seed
production Need be incorporated in
seed chain Both at in vitro and in
vivo level, particularly in Uttarakhand
where-
•Quality Seed- always a scarcity
*Off season crop is grown
• Proper Storage facility lacks
*Farmers to be trained to become
part of Integrated seed production
system
•
*Alternate methods of potato seed
production Need be incorporated in
seed chain Both at in vitro and in
vivo level, particularly in Uttarakhand
where-
•Quality Seed- always a scarcity
*Off season crop is grown
• Proper Storage facility lacks
*Farmers to be trained to become
part of Integrated seed production
system
•
Quality seed production assures Increase in productivity
Uttarakhand State
PRODUCTION : 3rd Highest
28 million tonnes ≈
8% of world total
AREA : 4th Highest : 18 lakh Ha

6. BRIEF OUTLINE….
Starting year : August – 2006 Year up to (Aug.) 2012.
Objectives : (i) Awareness generation amongst farmers, and (ii)
Production, distribution and monitoring of quality potato seed material
to farmers
Technical program (2006-2012) :
(a) Perpetual in vitro propagation : (G 0) : Nucleus seed
MP (Micro-plants) & MTP (Microt-uber –raised plants)
(b) G I, G II, G III, G IV, G V Tuber seed production
(c ) Trainings, Enabling Farmers for bulk seed production
(d) Standardization of crop timings (Hills-Summer, Plains-Winter)
(e) Collaboration with Research Centers for seed production (G1,
G2…)

7. A modern seed potato program must have in vitro
capabilities and human resources competent in use of
these techniques. Thus virus‐infested material is
cleaned up, can be maintained in vitro indefinitely
with no danger of re‐infection.
Rapid clonal multiplication of clean material possible
all the year round with latest in vitro/vivo
technologies.
Material multiplied in vitro need be suitably
transplanted to produce clean mini‐tubers (poly‐
houses/aeroponic unit).
xx

8. Nodal segment / sprout as explant
Established & proliferated for 4-5
times in MS semisolid medium with
NAA & GA3
‐‐ Tuberization Medium -- Microplant
MS with BA & high sucrose
-- Microtuber induction -- Hardening in
Polyhouse
-- Harvest, Storage
-- Germination, sowing -- To the field
in polyhouse
-- Transplanted in field
Shoot propagules shifted to liquid medium

9. Stage –I (1st year)
Stage –II (2nd year)
Stage –III (3rd year)
Stage –IV (4th year)
FS-I (5th year)
FS-II (6th year)
Certified (7th year)
Certified I (8th year)
Certified II(9th year)
Breeder seed
(Basic seed)
Foundation seed
Certified seed
Tuber selection and indexing (Nucleus seed)
SEED PRODUCTION-Conventional
INTEGRATED TECHNIQUE
Nucleus seed : 8‐9 months
Indexed mother plant
2‐6
months
2‐3
months

10. MICROTUBERS from lab to field

11. 1.Improvement of in vitro methods for MT & MP production
A. Single- vs. Double- Node cultures: for shoot proliferation
No. of propagules in different subcultures Multi.
Ratio
%
Lost
SNC S7 S8 S8 S9 S9
195 1841
76.9% + 15.8%
Pre Lost
Tubern.
133 1327
47.0% + 32.7%
Pre Lost
Tubern
268 1:9.6 22.8
DNC 210 812
32.5% + 0.49%
Pre Lost
Tubern.
544 2186
82.3% + 8.7%
Pre Lost
Tubern
195 1: 3.9 6.5
After correction of losses,
The multiplicity was 1 : 7.3 in SNC and 1 : 3.7 in DNC
SNC improved efficiency for shoot proliferation in vitro

12. B. Comparison of semisolid and liquid medium for
rooted MP production
Medium Starting
Culture
Subcultured
& placed
into
Grew as No. of branches
at the time of
Hardening in
polyhouse
Time
taken
Semi
solid
1 20 Tubes Long
shoots
20 1
month
Liquid 1 1 Bottle Several
shoot
bunches
5 bunches x 4
branches = 20
20
days
Proliferation in liquid medium required
less time, material, glassware & manual operations
but was more prone to contamination.

13. 2. Improvement of in vivo methods : 4 methods
A. Use of MTP and MP as alternate to seed
Tuber / plant for MTP = 4.01, Range 3‐9
Tuber / plant for MP = 2.18, Range 2‐4
*MTP can be regenerated, stored year round
* MP can be produced and hardened during peak demand season
both in Hills and Plains.
B. Multiple harvest for increasing tuber seed yield /plant
Comparison done for one time (H1), two time(H2) and three time(H3) harvests in
field from in vitro developed Micro‐plants
No. of harvests H3 H2 H1
Av. No. (10 plants) 116.22 91.66 42.11
Av. Wt. (10 plants) 1927.48 gm 1690.46 gm 1721.97 gm

14. C. Use of Sprouts
‐New way of large scale / low cost seed tuber production
‐Additional high‐grade, virus‐free, seed potato stock
‐New source of income to small farmers
- Tuber yield = 29.19 Kg from 166 sprouts
- No. of tubers = 666
- Tuber / plant = 4.12
D. Use of stem cuttings
when crop is delayed and aerial growth is high,
photosynthates are directed towards storage
- Field grown plant : Cut and transplanted
- Age of ~ 2 months
- Segments obtained from 1 plant = upto 10
- Survival in field = upto 25%
- Tuber yield per plant = 2-3 at axillary bud
+ 1-3 at stem base

15. Gradation of tubers
Size Wt.
range
in gm
Total
No.
%
V. big 80-140 447 5.36
Big 50-79.9 661 7.92
Medium 25-49.9 1247 14.94
Small 15-24.9 1356 16.25
V.small 7-14.9 1908 22.86
V.v.small < 7.0 2726 32.67
Total 8345 100
Harvested at research fields from
MTP and MP for 3 years
Parameters LIT HIT
Tuber size 10-20 gm 40-45
gm
Multiplication
rate
12 times 6 times
Tuber yield 191q/ha 210q/ha
Cost of
cultivation
Rs.
31,100
Rs.
47,700
Net profit
per Re. 0.84 0.31
Low input technology (LIT) vs.
High Input technology (HIT)
CPRI Station, Gwalior, MP
Suitable tuber size needed for efficiency improvement

17. Trainings & Demonstrations (2011-12)…..
Trainings
31. 3.11 - Hill Campus :- 20
28. 4.11 - village :- 39
8. 9.11 - Hill Campus :- 179
23.12.11 - village :- 7
24.12.11 –Res.Stn:- 12
= 275 Farmers
8.9.11 Training
8 villages - 179 farmers
304 Kg seed - 142 farmers
11 Demonstrations for MTP & MP : 3 varieties (H, GH, HS)
MTP and MP at Res. Stn.= 2792 :- 175 Kg
MTP at 3 farmers fields = 5105 :- yield awaited
Total MTP ( 7195) + MP (882) = 8077
Area at Res.Stn. (222.75m 2) + farmers’ fields (382.85 m2 )
27 field visits in 15 villages
xx

19. SEED PRODUCTION IN LESS TIME : SUCCESS
STORY -1
Chaupariyal Satyon Bageshwar Bageshwar 3 Years
2007 2008 2009 2009‐10 4 Generations
209(MP)G0 :19Kg 90Kg (G II) 110Kg (G III) 260Kg (G IV)
(G I) 8Kg 7Kg 40 Kg

20. 938 (MP) G0 75Kg (G I) 350Kg (G II) 577Kg (G III)
85Kg 575Kg 4750Kg 2600Kg
2008 2009 2009‐10 2010
Chaupariyal Chaupariyal Dhanori Dhanori
SEED PRODUCTION IN LESS TIME : SUCCESS
STORY 2
2 years
3 Generations

21. Saud village : Success story - 3
High yields : 20 ‐37 times
18 farmers :
49 Kg 681 G II in 2011
1 year saved : 2 crops in 2010 -11
4 farmers : G I G II G III
160 Kg G III 2100 Kg G IV in 2011
Seed saved from last year
7 Farmers : G I G II in 2010
125 Kg 705 Kg G III in 2011
Earning in 1 year
Sushil Chand :
In 2010 : G I G II G III
1000 Kg produced,
880 Kg sold,
Rs.22000/‐ earned
In 2011 : 2 Kg 80 Kg G II
For 2012:
120 + 80 Kg seed available

22. Khushi Ram ‐
2008: 938MTP ‐ 85 Kg
2009: 1335MTP ‐ 104 Kg
+ 575Kg from his previous seed
350 Kg sold ‐ Rs.7700/‐
2010 : 577Kg seed from previous year
Sale for Rs.4000/‐
2011 : 125 GII + 280 Kg GIII seed stock
+ earned Rs. 11700/‐ in 2 years
3
Chaupariyal village : Success story -4
In 2011
Produced
G III = 800 Kg
G IV = 2200 Kg (H)
G IV = 250 Kg (S)
Sold as seed
35 Kg to Hem Singh
Worth Rs.900/‐
Sold in market
Worth Rs. 30,000/‐
Demanding for 2012
20,000 MP

23. Anil Goswami : use of MTP
2007 -08 : 50 MTP - 7Kg,
2008-09 : 1200MTP - 60 Kg
2011-12 : 2100 MTP
Madan Giri
2009-10 : 1.8 Q - 35 Q : 25 Q sold
2010-1 1: 8.5 Q - 23 Q : 10 Q sold
2011-12 : 10 Q - 37Q
5Daulatpur village : Success story - 5
Narendra Giri
2009-10 : 1.3 Q - 12.5 Q : 5 Q sold to 2 farmers
2010-11 : 4.5 Q - 60 Q :11.5 Q sold to 4 farmers
2011-12 : 4.5 Q - 90 Q

24. Maun village : Success story - 6
14 Farmers : purchased 43 Kg G I = 2010
11 Farmers : produced 531 Kg GII
20 times yield
*Guddi Devi
*Siddheshwar Prasad
*Bachni Devi
*Trilok Singh
2010 = 4 Kg G I 79 Kg G II
2011 = 35 Kg G II 300 Kg G III Rs.3600/-
2011 = 4 Kg G I 65 Kg G II As Seed for 2012

25. Seed Acceptability of farmers
during 5 years’ work
Year Villages Material
given
to
Farmers
Farmers
under
observation
2007 06 22 10
2008 03 18 6
2009 03 11 8
2010 09 51 34
2011 21 150 134
Total 42 252 192
Total 192 farmers given seed material
as MP, MTP, G1,G2 G3 seed
21 villages under observation in 2011

26. G 0 PRODUCTION (IN VITRO) 2011-12
Shoot propagules:
H : > 1200 in S9
GH : > 990 in S9
HS :> 400 in S9
Microplants
Till Feb, 2012
K.Himalini=1400
Microtubers
H : 2485,
HS :692,
GH :2365
Total till
Dec, 2011
= 5542

27. Future scenario…….
Domestic Aeroponic unit: for uniform and repeated
harvests of tubers……gaining momentum in India…..
As small as 1x1x1 m size of equipment can be made
10 cm spacing of MP in 1m2 area,
10 day old MP from in vitro growth
Minimized water usage
Minimized nutrient requirement
-Harvest of minitubers every 10-15 days interval
-Tuber size maintained between 5-10 gm
-8-10 harvests per plant

28. Module proposed for increasing efficiency of seed production…
1. Integration of in vitro methods : MP and MT production
2. Efficiency increase of MP production in vitro : Single Node Cutting
(SNC) + delayed sub‐culturing
3. More efficiency in vitro : SNC + formation of large sized MT which
would replace the mini‐tuber seed (up to 2 gm)
4. Integrating in vitro + in vivo methods : MP + aeroponic system ‐
Harvesting small & uniform sized seeds.
5. Seed Number increase : Multiple harvests (3) in field
6. More alternate in vivo methods : sprouts and stem segments in
poly‐house followed by field transfer.
7. Regulating crop timings : summer and winter crops in a year
8. Minimizing water usage
9. Farmers encouraged for producing their own seed of as early
generations as possible
10.Farmers trained to become part of informal seed production system through
COSORTIUM for uninterrupted availability of quality potato seed.

29. Main potato growing seasons in Kenya, Uganda and Ethiopia
Kenya: the majority of sampled farmers cultivated potato twice a year, during
the main rainy seasons.
Uganda, the majority of sampled farmers grew potato twice a year, dedicating
24‐32% of their arable land to potato depending on the season and district.
In Ethiopia the main potato growing season depended on the zone.

30. …..I have seen in vitro facilities in private houses and
kitchens & bed rooms in Vietnam, where farmers had
recognized the enormous value of clean material and
where they have experimented successfully with its
production in their houses…….
Peter Schmiediche : Former Senior Breeder at
International Potato Center, CIP, Peru.
Presently, International Agricultural Consultant and
Chief Trainer at Wageningen International , The Netherland's,
on Potato Seed Production, Certification Systems

31. Suggested points in reference to African crop growing seasons
1. Kenyan crop season matches with Indian season
April – July matches with off season of Indian hill summer crop
Sept – December matches with Major crop of Indian plains in winters
2. Use Tissue culture facility:‐
Propagate year round in vitro: use of 70 – 80% propagules for MT
production , multiply 20‐30% for next subculture (SNC/DNC),and
1‐2 months before crop season : Liquid culture for large quantity
production of microplants (for aeroponics also).
3. Harden microplants and transplant in Poly‐house/field
4. Delay the transplanting by 1 month and harvest at scheduled time for
obtaining small sized mini‐tubers
Contd…

32. Uganda and Ethiopia have three crop seasons
1. Harvest from 1st crop season can be used as seed for 3rd crop
season
2. For the 2nd crop, use of microplant is feasible.
Awareness generation amongst farmers and regular
training/monitoring is key to success.
5. From overmature minitubers, use sprouts as separate propagules
6 If aeroponics available : Harvest microtubers , store them and
sprout when needed
8. From delayed crop : use 2‐3 node long stem segments as cuttings
for quick harvest of aerial minitubers/underground minitubers
9. Over maturation of tubers to be avoided
10. Delay mini tuber germination during storage by *manipulating
light intensity and *reducing temperature, if possible.

33. Acknowledgement s…….
African Potato Association for granting
scholarship facilitating participation in this conference
Horticulture Technology Mission for
North‐East Himalayas, Mini‐Mission‐1 for financial
support
GB Pant University of Agriculture and
Technology for permitting me to attend this
conference
Principle Investigator‐Dr. Vandana A. Kumar and all
co‐workers.

34. Thanks !!!