Production of planting materials Varieties and in vitro seed production technique for growing potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) under harsh and problematic BRIS soil of Pahang Mohd Shukor Nordin1* and Nor Hafizah Zakaria2 1Department of Pant Science, Kulliyah of Science, International Islamic University Malaysia 25200 Kuantan, Pahan 2Department of Biotechnology, Kulliyah of Science, International Islamic University Malaysia 25200 Kuantan, Pahang *Corresponding author email: dino@iium.edu.my iCAST 2015 Introduction Malaysia's dependence on imports to support her food needs has been growing over the years. The imports have reached RM 69.9 billion in 2012 [1] (Table 1). A strategy for import substitution should be pursued wherever viable. Table 1: Value of food imports, Malaysia, 2010-2012 Year Value of food imports (RM billion) 2010 53 311 2011 68 619 2012 69 912 Source: Malaysia Annual Exporter Guide Potato is one of the food items that Malaysia imports the most annually [1]. Almost all potato currently consumed domestically are imported with value exceeding RM 270 million annually (Table 2). Table 2: Values and quantities of potato imports, Malaysia, 2009-2011 Year Tonnes Value of potato imports (RM million) 2009 162 191 198.65 2010 155 951 245.79 2011 174 126 271.06 Source: FAO BRIS (Beach Ridges Interspersed with Swales) Commonly found in Pahang, Kelantan and Terengganu. Not suitable for almost all crops except coconut and cashew nuts (gajus) in Kuantan, and tobacco in Kelantan. Known as a problematic soil due to its poor fertility, high temperature and low water retention. However, with a little bit of soil amendment both in terms of nutrient and organic matter content, previous studies have shown that there is a great potential of producing potato under BRIS soils [2]. . Figure 1: Potato tubers of clone 378597.1 grown under BRIS soil Development of varieties and production practices for planting potato under BRIS soils Findings Clone 378597.1(Figure 1) produced the best yield compared to other varieties. Planting in Jan and Feb, a dry season in the coast, gave bigger size and high no. of marketable tubers. Max yield of potato, planting was best to be carried out in early January on BRIS soils. The clone produced whitish/ yellowish flesh color, shallow eyes and round to oval shape, characters preferred by Malaysian consumers. Studies conducted by MARDI showed that BRIS soils was suitable for lowland potato cultivation as promising yields were obtained (Table 3). Table 3: Yields (t/ha) and Tuber number (number/m2) of selected potato clones grown on BRIS soils [3]. Clone Marketable yield (t/ha) Tuber number (no/m2) 378597.1 19.1 327 Dalisay 16.2 313 9201-N-97 11.5 281 168 11.3 225 Potato is adaptable to BRIS soil due to: Low night temperature. Nearly aseptic soils. Loose soil structure. Conclusion Production of planting materials Research to develop new varieties which can tolerate heat and drought with a better taste and more nutritious tuber quality should be intensified. The proposed scheme consists of three phases [3]; - In vitro production of plantlets and microtubers. - Carried out in Tissue Culture Laboratory. Production of G-0 seed tuberlets and rooted stem cutting (RSC). Production of G-1 and G-2 seed tubers in the field. References Tengku Arif, T. A. and Jalani, R. 1992. A study of marketing, consumption and market preference for potato product in Malaysia In: In SAPPRAD Annual Reports July 1991-1992. 24-36. Zaharah, H., Vimala, P. Mohd Shukor, N. and Engku Ismail, E.A. 1994. Planting and management of potato on sandy soils in the lowlands. In Proceeding of National Seminar on Tubers Crops production and utilization, 5-7 September 1994, Kuantan, Pahang. 41-62. Mohd Shukor, N., Shuib, J. and Zaharah, A. 1994. Potato seed production system for Malaysia. In Proceeding of National Seminar on Tubers Crops production and utilization, 5-7 September 1994, Kuantan, Pahang. 94-101. Phase 1 Phase 2 Phase 3 5th International Conference on Advancement in Science and Technology (iCAST 2015)