15 Sep Potato seed quality an integral part of potato production
आलू के बीज की गुणवत्ता - आलू उत्पादन का अभिन्न अंग High yields of potato revolve around use of high-quality seed potatoes. Access to quality seed to end users is the main requirements for bridging significant yield gaps for potatoes. Genetic purity, sound physiological age, disease free, proper seed size and free from internal/ external damage are the major parameters of quality seed potato tuber. Cultivar, soil type, weather conditions, water management, plant population, seed piece size, pests and diseases and agricultural management practices from seedbed preparation to storage, i.e., tillage, planting, pest management, haulm killing and harvesting affect the quality seed potato tuber production. Seed potato quality is ensured by seed certification process by seed certification agencies of state government. Grow out test is performed to determine germination, morphological characters and incidence of viruses to ascertain their genetic purity of a given seed lot of released cultivars for quality control. Significance of quality seed in potato The quality of seeds is considered an important factor for increasing yield and helps greatly in higher production per unit area to attain food security of the country. Quality seeds have the ability for efficient utilization of the inputs such as fertilizers and irrigation. Like other crops, high yields of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) revolves around use...