The Country Report Title: “Technology Dissemination of Virus-free Seed Potato Production using Hydroponic Production Systems” Principal Investigator: Inpanh VENESOMPHETH Organization: Coffee Research Centre (CRC), NAFRI Project duration: 36 months (July, 2016 – June, 2019)

1. Introduction Potato is the world’s 4thlargest food crop and its importance as the materials for industries In Lao PDR, potato was brought by French since 1923 in Paksong District, Champasak Province and its aims to eat for substituting rice as subsistence consumption. weather condition are suitable for crop production by more than 1,000 meter higher than sea level, averaged temperature is 26 °c (lowest is 8°c)and rainfall is about 2,000 – 4,000 millimeter. In 2003, the Paksong High Land Company produced seed potatoes by cultivar: Atlanta, it was died by some diseases.

In 2007, the International Trade Company produced potato in 80-100 hectare. Champasak Province recentlyhas a high demand of potato and it has imported potato from Thailand and Vietnam. In the future, farmers interested to produce for market to 20-50 percent of market demand. Perhaps they can be producing around 15-20 ton per hectare with good management practice and good seed cultivar. The Seed-borne virus of potato has affected on quantity and quality of potato productivity, by reduce the total yield and also reduce the marketable yield. On the other hand, tissue culture and hydroponic culture of potato production were developed and used widely, to stabilize the potato production and enhance the potato productivity and increase the farmers’ income.

Project’s objective This project aims to: To assist on alleviate potato production by using an appropriate technologies for secured production of quality potato seeds To produce a quality virus-free seed potatoes to market To develop and study new systems of potato cultivation condition and share experience among AFACI member country

Table for Implementation Activities 2016 2017 2018 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Set up greenhouse at the experimental station Virus and disease elimination by tissue culture Pilot production of virus-free seed potatoes by hydroponics Mass production of healthy seed-potatoes by net-house cultivation

2. Main Activities (1st year) 2.1 Location of experiment In the first year, the greenhouse and hydroponics system will be established in Champasak Province, especially in Paksong District, The experimental site of this project will establish in the Coffee Research Center (CRC) in Paksong District, Champasak Province, When seedlings of potato from tissue culture are grow up well at RRC, then they will be send to grow with the hydroponic system at the CRC.

2.2 The target cultivar for hydroponics The Atlanta cultivar will be selected for seed- potato production. another cultivar from neighbor country market are also appreciating to use for experiment. in the past, the Atlanta cultivar can produce for 16 ton per hectare and some farmers are preferred to apply for wide of land but they cannot resistant for disease.

2.3 Results (optional) & Discussion Not Available now, the project has just signed to approved in last few month and its activities is not starting yet.

2.4 Suggestions for project Since 2011, potato production was trial for seed line adaptation and it found that there are many factors affected such as: - incidence diseases and pests - import seed potato from oversea - technical staff are lack of knowledge - climate change as some unpredictable like a natural disaster.

2.5 Project Impacts & Recommendations Even though, this project has just started and the hydroponic system is still a new knowledge for practices in CRC. There are some limitations of activities implementation. Firstly, the capacity building is a vital necessity for researchers, especially, specific knowledge about potato and hydroponic. In addition, the networking of researchers/experts should be having an platform and/or opportunity to meet and share experiences together.

2.6 Future Plan Virus and disease elimination by tissue culture Pilot production of virus-free seed potatoes by hydroponics Mass production of healthy seed-potatoes by greenhouse cultivation

Thank you for your attention