Potato seed production of Chile is studied; yields, are analyzed and are found to be poor due to tuber diseases such as common scab (Actinomyces scabies) powdery scab (Spongospora subterrtmea) and rootknot (Heterodera marioni).
There is still available a large extent of virgin soils where the potato crop can be easily established. The reserves for immediate use are estimated at 8000 hectares.
To increase production, a system of seed certification was developed, but, due to the lack of interest of the domestic market for the types used for this purpose (which included Katahdin, Green Mountain, President, Irish Cobbler, Bliss Triumph and Golden varieties) as well as the fluctuating price of seed potatoes, farmers have shown little interest in meeting the requirements for certification of their seed fields, and continue to grow seed potatoes with little special care.
The results obtained in Centinela Experiment Station at Puerto Octay; Chile, with introduced varieties during 8 years are given in detail. From these experiments, it is evident that the highest yielding varieties are President, Alpha and Industrie followed by the group formed by the common Corahila larga, Majestic and Treff-As. In the last place, with very low yield, is the Katahdin variety.
From new types of potatoes developed by the Experiment Station, the most promising material is C-8 and 1248 seedlings and 224 and 1239 varieties. A detailed description is also given of C-8 and 1248 seedlings,which, beside their good yield, show sorne resistance to nematode attack.
Finally there is table of all varieties and seedlings studied, illustrating their characters of agronomic importance. |
ChileanJAR
