Yezin, Myanmar DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH DAR Technology Dissemination of Virus-free Seed Potato Production using Hydroponic Production systems in Myanmar Win Win Nwe Aung Ban Agricultural Research Farm Department of Agricultural Research(DAR) 21st September, 2016

Introduction Myanmar covers a total area of 676,600 km2 with a population of 51.7 million. total cultivable land area is 17.83 million hectare (ha) of which 33% has not been brought into commercial use yet. Myanmar economy is dependant and dominated by agriculture. It accounts for 23% of the GDP, over 50% of total employment and approximately 20% of exports

Introduction Myanmar grows about 600,000 tonnes potato on 40,000 ha (yield 15 t/ha, consumption 10 kg per capita) summer crop (Jan-Febr to April-May), rainy season crop (April-May to August-Sept), Intermediate season (post monsoon) crop (August-Sept to Dec- Jan) and winter crop (Oct-Nov to Jan- Feb).

Introduction Summer potato grown under irrigation on peaty and clay loam soil in Heho valley, Kalaw Township, Shan State The main or rainy crop and intermediate crop are grown in Shan State especially Pinlaung, Kalaw and Pindaya Townships The winter crop is sown on alluvial soil in plains such as Sagaing, Magwe, Mandalay Divisions and Kachin State

Introduction no professional production of quality seed potatoes Farmers keep some late monsoon crop yield for the early monsoon crop. Potato production in the country is hampered by low soil fertility, pest and diseases and inadequate supply of good quality seed tubers. Among the constraints, lack of good quality seed tubers is a main factor

Objectives To create awareness of the necessary security of healthy seed tuber production through hydroponics facility at research station To innovate and stabilize potato industry by assisting hydroponics technologies for quality potato seed tubers To demonstrate the climate- smart technology compared to the conventional methods and win-win efficiency for the environment and producers.

Project Activities Installation of hydroponic cultivation facilities to be used for proliferation of seed-potatoes. Mass production for proliferation of certificated 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. Technical transfer among Korean team, DAR, DOA staffs and private sectors. Field day or demonstration of hydroponic seed tuber production. Training for hydroponic cultivation, mass production by net-house cultivation and monitoring of virus infection in seed-potatoes.

Location of Experimental Site at Hill Region Agricultural Research Station, Aung Ban (20˚ 40’N, 96˚ 37’E, elevation 1307m). Aung Ban is a town in the Shan State of eastern Myanmar. It is located in Kalaw Township in Taunggyi District. The total cultivable upland area in the township is about 40,000 ha. Annually, potato is sown on 5000 ha.

Climatic Condition of Experimental Site Precipitation of Aung Ban is 860 mm average the maximum and minimum temperatures are 32°C and 5°C on ten year basic. the coldest month is January the warmest month is April.

Occurrence and control of disease/pest Late blight early blight bacterial wilt have been found to cause severe damage to the potato industry. Sclerotium stem rot, root knot, purple top and other viral diseases are also observed. Late blight causes severe damage to the potato industry of Myanmar

Late blight in Myanmar The yield is not only affected, but expansion of the areas for potato cultivation is also restricted due to late blight (Maung Maung Myint, 2001). This disease is generally called ‘laungmel’ by the local people as the infected entire plant turn black color and die. Annually yield losses due to the disease range from 21% to 46% (Thaung Pe,1978). Experimental results also showed 23% to 42% yield loss (Maung Maung Myint et al., 2001a and 2001b).

Control of Late blight in Myanmar mound burning method Dried cow-dung-cakes and weed are inserted in small mound and set fire to it. Early planting Some growers in Shan State plant potato in last week of March and harvest in early August to avoid late blight epidemic. Fungicide Application Ridomil MZ 72 WP(metalaxyl + mancozeb), Daconil (chlorothalonil), Mancozeb (maneb + zinc ion), Kocide (copper hydroxide) and Labilite (maneb + topsin).

Control of Late blight in Myanmar Infected seed tubers are the main sources of infection. farmers from Shan hilly regions store the tubers from their rainy crop harvest in baskets at home in the dark (MAS, 1990). The low temperature and dark conditions are quite favorable for the survival of P. infestans in seed tubers unto the next crop season. Dominant cultivar (Up-to-Date) is susceptible to late blight

Target Cultivar for hydroponic Up-to-Date (locally called Sit-Bo) Introduce since 1914 By 1983, Up-to-Date occupied nearly 100% of the total area of potato production. Farmer preference is very high Still dominant cultivar True to type Up-to-Date and virus & disease free Up-to-Date are demanding

Characteristics of Selected Cultivar oval, slightly flat tubers with shallow eyes skin is white and the flesh is cream in color. plants are tall, the stems semi-erect, develop rapidly and give good foliage coverage. flower color is a light purple-pink blush. tuber rest period is short (50-70 days from natural foliage death until sprouting). medium to long growth period of 90-110 days from emergence to natural foliage die-back.

Characteristics of Selected Cultivar have low resistant to viral diseases and common scab moderate resistant to external damage very susceptible to Early and Late Blight and susceptible to wart diseases. Up-to-Date potatoes are a powdery cooking type, good for all round use and a favorite amongst homemakers. It does not normally discolor after cooking and is wonderful for making French fries. The internal quality weakens within 30 days after natural foliage death.

Preparation of Virus-free Potato tissue Four fundamental steps for in vitro culture of potatoes (i) preparation of explants (ii) establishment of culture (iii) multiplication and rooting and (iv) acclimatization of plantlets will be carried out at Htone Bo Agricultural Research Station, Taunggyi which have fully developed capability for in vitro multiplication of potato.

Preparation of Virus-free Potato tissue systematic production of mini-tubers from the in vitro micro-propagation by hydroponic cultivation will be demonstrated at Aung Ban Agricultural Research Station. multiplication of mini-tubers will be planted with net-house cultivation at Aung Ban Agricultural Research Station. The detection facilities for molecular disease diagnosis would be required to set up in both Aung Ban and Htone Bo Agricultural Research Stations.

Seed-potato quality control & management There is no formal seed potato system in the country Main seed constraints for ware growers are: Seed is not healthy (bacterial wilt and viruses) and not always well sprouted. Seed consists of a variety mixture and is an expensive input, costing about 1.5 - 2 times the ware potato sold.

Seed-potato quality control & management The main seed production constraints in Myanmar are: Lack of (sufficient) facilities and knowledge of in-vitro techniques, mini-tuber and basic seed production and variety selection hence too few varieties are available to cater for the several environments and market needs. Lack of infrastructure and adequate system of specific seed production, quality assurance storage, and distribution of seed potatoes.

? Results and Discussion A good and prosperous result could be come out from the project. Success story on vegetable production by hydroponic in Dry Zone Regions of Myanmar local farmers are appreciated for that project. ?

Suggestions for Project Goal of this project is to develop seed tuber industry which is well equipped with new hydroponics technology to formulate cost-effective, small-scale hydroponic cultivation methods to produce quality seed that can be accessed by small farmers at affordable cost the project may need more time and money. The project duration should be extended and project budget should be added.

Project Impacts and Recommendations Knowledge and skill would be upgrade on seed potato production. Increased farm income in the country by producing and using quality potato seeds. Rapid dissemination of Korean seed potato production technology. Farmers will strengthen the system on self-production of certified seeds SME could be developed for production of seed tuber industry.

Project Impacts and Recommendations a need for an official seed potato production farm and qualified technical assistance for seed production. Korean seed-potato production system including hydroponic cultivation, net-house cultivation and molecular diagnostics for seed-borne potato virus is demanding as new technology to boost the potato production in the country.

Future Plan this project will be carried out at Experimental Station For next project the project site should be conducted on major potato growing areas. The community based hydroponic seed potato system should be installed and formulate Model Potato Village

Thank You!