Blogposts

March 28, 2022 | Blogs

Decisions at planting: Cutting of seed potatoes

Seed potatoes, whole and cut, are often dusted or sprayed with a pencycuron containing fungicide to protect against black scurf caused by Rhizoctonia solani. The treatment also contributes to the control of silver scurf (Helminthosporium solani) and black dot caused by Colletotrichum coccodes. In the past, mercury compounds were used but this nowadays is forbidden in…

March 07, 2022 | Blogs

Small tubers used as seed in subsistence potato farming

In subsistence farming and in a developing seed system where there is no official certification scheme operating, growers use the small tubers of the harvested crop as seed for the next season.

February 28, 2022 | Blogs

Situation-dependent provenance of seed tubers

The provenance of seed for potato planting is situation-dependent. In temperate climates with cool summers, certified seed is usually grown in the same region as the ware crops. Closer to the equator with spring crops or winter crops, seed is imported annually from temperate regions with the most suitable seed-growing conditions such as from the…

February 21, 2022 | Blogs

Vegetative potato propagation: Rapid multiplication and virus eradication

In rapid multiplication schemes, plants are multiplied by in vitro or in vivo (not in closed tubes or containers) techniques. Cuttings are rooted to allow them to develop into fully grown plants that make tubers, flowers and seeds. Rapid multiplication starts by allowing a tuber to sprout. The top of the…

February 14, 2022 | Blogs

Decisions influencing the dry matter concentration of tubers

Different outlets have different optimal dry matter concentrations of tubers. The dry matter concentration of table potatoes in general is lower than that of chipping and crisping potatoes whereas that of starch potatoes is highest. The latter is relevant as less transport of water is cost effective and also reduces the quantity of liquid waste…

February 07, 2022 | Blogs

Cracks, fissures and clefts: different appearances of external tuber disorders

Tuber cracks, fissures and clefts have different appearances following different causes. They are healed wounds but clearly visible as scars on the surface. These healed fissures are generally oriented in the length direction of the tubers and are more present at the rose end than at the bud end of the tuber. They are triggered…

January 31, 2022 | Blogs

An introduction to tuber disorders and their hazards

Besides infection by pests and diseases, potato is also prone to many disorders of non-pathogenic origin. Such non-pathogenic origins are of an abiotic physiological nature resulting from interaction between the physiology of the growing tuber and its environment. They are generally referred to as physiological disorders.

January 24, 2022 | Blogs

How to prevent and control potassium deficiency in potatoes

The behaviour of potassium (K) in clay soils mainly depends on the clay content and the type of clay mineral. Soils with clay minerals mainly consisting of illite, such as in the Netherlands, supply K through weathering. From soils with clay particles mainly consisting of kaolinite K may easily be leached out. Also in sandy…

January 19, 2022 | Blogs

The vital role of the potato in saving the planet

World leaders recently gathered in Glasgow, Scotland for the COP26 climate change conference – COP stands for Conference of the Parties and the event was the 26^th meeting. The event is attended by countries who have signed the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, which was introduced in 1994 and aims to keep average…

January 17, 2022 | Blogs

What are the effects and symptoms of potassium deficiency in potatoes?

Second to nitrogen, potassium (K) is adsorbed most by the plant and is essential for its normal growth and development.