TECHNOLOGY DISSEMINATION OF VIRUS-FREE SEED POTATO PRODUCTION USING HYDROPONIC PRODUCTION SYSTEM Presentation by: Mr. Yeshi Dorji National Seed Centre, Department of Agriculture Ministry of Agriculture & Forests: Bhutan

Presentation Outline Background Objectives Current production and distribution system Location of experimental site Occurrence and control of pest & diseases Target cultivar for hydroponic Virus free potato tissue culture Discussion and Analysis Suggestion for the project Project impact and future plan

Background 69% of the Bhutanese populations are engaged in Agriculture. Agriculture will remain one of the most important source of employment and rural livelihood of the Bhutanese people for several decades. Forest cover : 72.5% Pasture : 3.9% Agriculture: 7.7% Horticulture: 0.1% Settlement: 0.1% Others: 15.9% National Portal of Bhutan, 1995

Ministry of Agriculture and Forest Department of Forest and Park Services Depart of Livestock Department of Agriculture National Plant Protection Centre, National Post Harvest Centre, Agriculture Machinery Centre, Horticulture Division, Research Development Centre, Policy and Planning Division, Agriculture Finances Division National Seed Centre and Bhutan Potato Development Program Certified Seed Growers’ group

National Seed Centre The Program is responsible to ensure national seed security through production of high quality seeds, planting materials & other agricultural inputs in adequate quantities and at affordable price to improve the livelihood of the farmers. NSC is under Department of Agriculture, Ministry of Agriculture & Forests.

Objectives To supply certified seeds & plants of agricultural and horticultural crops in adequate quantity on time. To specialize in maintaining & multiplying basic and foundation seeds and planting materials of recommended and released varieties. To co-ordinate Registered Seed Growers, private Nursery growers & private sector entrepreneurs to ensure the availability of certified seeds and plants to Bhutanese farmers at all times.

Overview of Current production Total area – 12,785 acres * Total production – 53,612 MT* Average yield – 4,194 kg per acre* NSC is the major supplier of seed potatoes throughout the country supplying about 350-400 MT of seed potatoes to the farmer’s annually. Moreover, the free transportation cost Agriculture statistics, 2014 (DoA)

Potato production system

Major Potato Growing Districts

Seed Production & Distribution Potato seed production system in Bhutan Informal Formal (99%) (1%) Tissue culture (micro-tubers) Aeroponics (Mini-tubers) Farmers to farmers seed exchange

Formal Seed System This system is requried to provide high quality material to the producers of inforaml seed and to regain/maitain credibility for seed export. National Seed Centre has the mandate and facilities to produce the first stages in the formal seed program. Seed quality at all the levels is monitored through Bhutan Agriculture & Food Regulatory Authority (BAFRA), following the seed standards and the seed certification rules and regulations.

Stages of seed production and seed flow Panting material Where produced Product In-Vitro plantlet Micro tuber & Mini tuber Basic Seed Foundation 1 Foundation 2 Certified seed NSC Laboratory & Aeroponic NSC- Seed Farm (3100m) (3100m Seed Farm Registered-grower(3100m) Certified Growers Informal seed growers Micro tuber & Mini tuber Basic seed Foundation 1 Foundation 2 certified seed Informal seed

Tissue Culture Laboratory Culture room Multiplication room

Traditional system The potato producers at higher elevation( above 2700m) customarily maintain their own seed stock. They do not generally apply any specific treatment for seed production

Location of the experimental site The experiment will be carried out under net-house or greenhouse cultivation with controlled conditions at National Seed Centre, Paro. The location lies between latitude of 27°22’59’’ N and longitude, 89°25’12’’ E of Greenwich. It is located at an altitude of 2,406 meter above sea level (m.a.s.l) with cool winter and humid conditions in summer. Department of Hydro met services [DoHMS], 2015

Major Diseases Late blight (phytophthora infestans (mont.)

Viruses (PVA, PVS, PVX, PVY&PLRV)

MANAGEMENT & CONTROL OF PESTS AND DISEASES Selection of healthy seed is foundation of successful disease management Use FM radio stations & media to disseminate information on disease forecast and management) Scheduled chemical spray Source varieties like Desiree, Kufri jyoti & Yusikaap that are moderately resistance Educate on post harvest managements

Potato Varieties in Bhutan Desiree (Red Dutch variety 80048) Kufri Jyoti (White Indian Variety 800258) Yusikaap (White Argentine 72008) Khangmakaap (White CIP, Peru 378015.13) Nasephey kewa Kaap (White Peru 393077.159) Limited information is available on varieties used prior to 1970’s. Presently 4 varieties are used in Bhutan. The Desiree is by far the most important. All are wart resistant.

Target Cultivar Variety Desiree Khangma Kaap Origin The Netherlands Peru (CIP) CIP number 800048 378015.13 Introduced 1970 1989 Released 1988 2002 Days to maturity <100 100-105 Shape Long oval Oblong Skin Smooth red to pink Smooth White cream Late blight Susceptible Moderate resistant Wart Resistant Other characteristic Good eating and storage quality. Preferred for French fries Suitable for rice based cropping system, Early maturing Proportion of Production (%) 90 4

Virus free potato tissue culture Selection of tubers from healthy plant from the field Disinfection of the selected tubers in Lab Initiate Meristem culture Sub-culture for mass multiplication Acclimatization

Discussion and Analysis Henceforth, with the support of this project, by introducing hydroponic technique the production of clean planting materials can be improved and strengthened. Achieving of mini-tubers with an excellent sanitary quality. Quality production.

Suggestion for the Project In addition to tissue culture and Aeroponic facility, the goal of this project is to stabilize and improve seed potato industry in the country through propagating virus-free planting materials of the hydroponics technique. Supply of hydroponic cultivation facilities to be used for proliferation of seed potatoes. Mass production for proliferation of certified healthy seed potatoes by net house cultivation. Monitoring of virus infection in seed potatoes produced in the country and technical support for molecular diagnostics of potato virus.

Project Impact and future plan Supply of quality (healthy, disease-free) mini tubers produced through hydroponic Proper seed program will be organized by replacement of virus-free seed potatoes to farmers which will ultimately improve their livelihood Well-established seed potato production system combining hydroponics and net-house production and selecting the healthy seed potatoes. Trained experts in operating facilities for seed potato production and virus diagnostics. Boosting the quantity and quality of farmers’ potatoes.

Increase farm income in Asian countries by producing quality potato seeds. To develop and study new cultivation systems. To produce disease free seed potatoes through rapid seed multiplication technologies Disease free seed potatoes produced for further production of foundation and certified seeds Ultimately, development of tissue culture Lab facilities and man power Improvement and maintenance of existing Aeroponic facilities

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