Potato seed production systems in India

1. Potato Seed Production Technology in Northeast India –
with special focus on Meghalaya
Presented by
Dr. Krishnananda Pralhad Ingle
Associate Professor, KL University
Vijayawada- 522 001

2. Agriculture scenario
Agriculture is the largest enterprise in India (> 10 crores farm holding and will continue to be the life line
of Indian economy)
India support 16.8% world population and 2.3% global land. Per capita availability of resources is 4-6
times lesser than the world average
Population growth rate of India was 1.25% (234 million) in 1950 and increased to 1.96% (439.2
million) in 1960
Huge food demand has to be meet out for burgeoning population 1.5 billiion by 2050

3. World Potato production
Source: www.potatopro.com

4. Potato growing areas in country
Plains
90%
Plateau
4%
Hills
6%

5. Nutritional Benefits of Potatoes

6. Constraints in potato development in Meghalaya
Constraints
The North-Eastern Hill (NEH) states occupies a significant place in India’s plan for economic development both
for socio-economic as well as geo-political reasons. At the same time, the relatively low rate of development in
the region impacts on the country’s overall progress. This is very apparent in Meghalaya, one of the eight NEH
states, a predominantly agricultural state which produces various crops including potato. Because of high
poverty rates and low development indicators, many international development agencies are already involved
in improving the livelihood status of NEH states, especially the state of Meghalaya.
Limited knowledge of appropriate seed storage practices. Shifting
(Jhum) cultivation in some areas leading to soil erosion, nutrient loss,
and degraded soil quality. Non-adoption of tissue culture based
seed production as per DBT/Scientific guidelines.
Inadequate supply of healthy planting material at reasonable prices
due to the high transportation costs of bringing seed from seed
production areas in North India, resulting in use of low quality seeds
replanted
Lack of awareness and adoption of improved agro-techniques for
farmer-based quality seed production. Lack of certified/quality
seed of potato
Fast degeneration of tuber seed caused by viruses and other plant
diseases, particularly late blight, due to lack of information on
integrated disease management practices.

7. Development and use
of high yielding region
specific varieties
having resistance to
late blight
Development and use
of high yielding region
specific varieties
having resistance to
late blight
Develop seed
multiplication and
supply chain.
Establishment of
additional cold
storage facility
Develop seed
multiplication and
supply chain.
Establishment of
additional cold
storage facility
Adoption of Post
harvest management
techniques and value
addition and
processing
Adoption of Post
harvest management
techniques and value
addition and
processing
Management of biotic
and abiotic stress
Management of biotic
and abiotic stress
Strategies for enhancing potato production in Eastern region

8. Area, production, potato average yield in Meghalaya, 2014-2017
Source: (DOH, 2017)

9. 1. Freedom from soil borne pathogens like wart, cyst nematode, bacterial wilt, black scurf, and common
scab.
2. Low aphid or aphid free period of 75 days after planting.
3. The min. & max. temperature should be within 8-28°C during crop season.
4. Several seed production channels evolved.
5. India is the only Asian country with a well established, scientific seed production programme.
Site Requirements for Seed Production

10. Stages of seed production
Stage –I (1st year)
Breeder seed
Stage –II (2nd year)
Stage –III (3rd year)
Stage –IV (4th year)
FS-I (5th year)
Foundation seed
FS-II (6th year)
Certified (7th year) Certified

11. Seed Plot Techniques

12. Refinement of seed plot technique
Seed Plot
Technique
Rouge out
diseased and
off types
Control
diseases and
pests/ vectors
with pesticides
Dehaulm
before vector
crosses
critical level
Harvest, cure
and treat seed
before storage
Use healthy
seed
Use hot weather
cultivation &
Crop rotation
Store seed in cold
store (plains),
country store ( hills)
Use sprouted
seed
Plant 1st
week Oct
(plains), Use
granular
systemic
insecticides

13. Crop scheduling for seed production

14. Impact of seed plot techniques
1. Decentralization of potato seed production from hills to plains
2. Area under seed production enhanced 12 fold
3. Availability of potato seed in hills and plains in proper physiological state
4. It is one of the best example of IPM/IDM

15. Tuber Indexing by ELISA
VIRUSES
Potato Virus X Potato Virus S
Potato Virus M Potato Virus Y
Potato Leaf Roll Virus Potato Virus A

16. Conventional Seed Production Techniques
Indexed seed tuber Stage-I (Nucleus seed )
Stage-II (Nucleus seed)
Pre-basic and basic/breeder seed
Sprouted seed tuber
Harvested basic/breeder seed

17. Tissue cultured based seed production system

18. Rate of multiplication in conventional and micro-propagation

19. Aeroponic based seed production system

20. Seed certification standards- SCA

21. Potato certified seed standards

22. Future challenges in seed production
Emerging new virus diseases like PALCV, CMV,
PAMV, PVYn.
Emerging New
Vectors like
white fly, thrips,
A.gossypi
aphids, hoppers,
Psyllids.
Impact of Climate
Change on Vector
dynamics and
shortening of
growing window
Monoculture of
potato as well as
Increasing
cropping intensity.
Production of quality seed
in non-traditional areas
Increasing pressure of soil & tuber borne diseases like common scab, russet scab,
black scurf, brown rot, Sclerotium wilt, Sclerotinia stem rot , Verticillium wilt and
nematodes.

23. Possible solutions
 Involvement of SAUs, KVKs, Private sector companies, Growers associations, Cooperative
societies and Progressive growers for multiplication of breeder seed in three assured
multiplication cycles by Govt. of India.
OR
 Involvement of above agencies by the State Govts. for multiplication of Foundation-I in two
multiplication cycles.

24. Thank You…!