17 Feb Techniques for high quality potato seed production
उच्च गुणवत्ता वाले आलू बीज उत्पादन के लिए तकनीक Potato is a crop of major economic importance and worldwide it is the third most important food crop after rice and wheat. Asia and Europe are the world’s major potato producing regions, accounting for more than 80%. Potato is grown almost in all states of India. Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Gujrat and Punjab together account for about 87% of India’s production (fig 1). Fig 1 Per cent share of states in potato production Source: State Departments of Horticulture & Agriculture Importance of seed in potato production Manu Smriti says “Subeejam Shushereto Jaayaty Sapadayaty” means the good seed in a good field produces abundantly. Therefore it is very much required that the farmers must use pure, healthy seeds as per the minimum certification standards to sustain agriculture. The response of all other input depends on quality of seeds to a large extent. 30-50% production can be increased by use high quality seed. In potato cultivation, potato seed is most expensive accounting for 40 to 50% of the production cost. The availability of quality planting material of improved potato varieties in adequate quantities is the major issue in potato production. In 2017-18 country had an area of 2.14 million ha under potato with production of 51.31million ton...