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Prospect of Seed Potato Production

by S A M Matiur Rahman
P. OTATO to • short duration (90-120 days) cash crop. It may be considered as the third staple food tn Bangladesh after rice and wheat. For successful production and to achieve the standard quality of any seed crop, three things are exclusively responsible. These are quality seeds of high yielding variety (HYV). methods of cultivation and the weather. It Is possible to Increase the potato production from the existing acreage by 50 per cent by using quality seeds of HYV. Research findings and practical experiences have established the fact that the Impor tancc of quality seed is by far the most important in potato production compared to other crops.
Bangladesh Air Force (BAF) started seed potato production during the cropping season of 1985-86 in its Care and Maintenance (C&M) Unit at Lalmonlrhat as contract farmer of Bangladesh Agriculture Development Corporation (BADC). BAF Lalmonlrhat was an abandoned air field of Second World War. It is located in the extreme north-western part of Bangladesh. BAF has established its C and M Unit In Lalmonlrhat In the month of January, 1983. The soli type of Lalmonlrhat is of Tlsta Flood Plain and is light textured sandy loam with less organic matter content (03%) and is deficient in almost all macro and micro nutrients. After gradual development and other intercultural operation, the physical condition of the soil has improved. The soli Is acidic In nature and is vulnerable to wind erosion. The total area is high land'except some of the lands which are used for drainage purpose.
The weather condition of north-west Bangladesh is favourable for quality seed potato (foundation and certified) production which needs long cool atmospheric temperature. The average day temperature during November and December in Lalmonlrhat does not go beyond 30 degree c. It is bright sun shine from late October to late January with negligible rainfall.
Analysing all the favourable points, the BAF Lalmonlrhat took a decision to produce seed potato as contract farmer of BADC. though it was not an established crop at that time in the area.
Pre-sowing Arrangement: Pre-sowing arrangement includes field selection, preparation of plot map. land development, land prepara-. Hon, liaison with BADC officials for collecting seeds, temporary seed storage, accelerating sprouting, sanitation before cutting of tubers and
storing the cut tubers for developing hard coating in the cut portion of the tuber.
"Die factors -considered before field selection are: (1) availability of Irrigation facility, (If) proper drainage systems, (111) Ideal communication facility, (iv) Isolation from other crops. Considering all these factors two potato blocks under deep tube well (DTW) No 3 and DTW No 7 were selected. Eight DTWs were commis stoned in BAF Lalmonlrhat and the command area of each DTW constitute a block. After field selection the plots were measured accurately and maps prepared showing location of the seed plots. Crop rotation in those plots la: green manuring followed by potato followed by Aus and transplanted Aman followed by potato followed by green manuring.
Usually land preparation was started In the middle of September. The practice of land preparation was In the form of three to four consecutive harrowing followed by laddering and two to three times ploughing by country plough followed by laddering. During ploughing, cow dung, mustard oil cake. Triple Super Phosphate (TSP). Gypsum and Zinc Sulphate were spread in the field. After two to three days, Heptachlor at the rate of 2 kg per acre was mixed before final laddering. Seed sowing started after three to four days of final laddering. Seed sowing started after three to four days of final laddering
BADC officials at Rangpur were informed of sowing schedule and accordingly they sent the seed (tubers). To accelerate sprouting In some of the plots, we adopted local methods by using straw and water.
Strict sanitary measures were taken before cutting the sprouted tubers. The labourers were compelled to wash their hands by soap and to rinse knives by disinfectant. Instruction was such that in every cut piece at least two eyes must exists. In the litter stage, for foundation seed production, the tubers of 35-45 mm size- were cut into halves and 45-55 mm size were cut into two or three pieces longitudinally keeping In view that every cut piece must have at lqto»t two eyes. After sizing, tu-bers were kept under shed ■with proper ventflatton for 24 hours for developing natural hard coating over the cut portions of the tubers and at this stage the tubers were ready for sowing. No seed treating chemicals were used.
Space maintained during sowing for certified seed production of Khufri Sundart and Patronese variety was tuber to tuber six inches and row to
row 20 inches. But for foundation seed of cardinal variety they were nm? inches and 24 inches respectively. The per acre seed rate varied as the tubers were of different sizes
There is no recommended doses of fertilizer applicable to different types of soil for seed potato production. However, the applied manures and fertll tzer were mustard oil cake 200 kg, cow dung two tons. Urea 120 kg, TSP 80 kg, Muriate of Potash (MP) 120 kg. Gypsum 15 kg and Zinc Sulphate five kg per acre.
There are different techniques regarding the placement of tubers 1A the prepared field. However, two types were practised considering the time of plantation. During early plantaUon Le. from third week of October, the tubers were placed In line without making any depth and in the final
stage of plantation I.e In the first week of November, the tuber^ were placed in line of I to lx inch depth. During plantation, mixed fertilizer (50 kg mustard oil cake, 30 kg Urea and 30 kg MP per acre) were placed on both sides of the tuber. Earthing up to„2j3 Inch height was1 followed jukt after placement of fertilizer.
After-sowing Cultural Prac tices: On an average 80 per cent emergence took place within 20-25 days after plan-tatlon. Sometimes very light irrigation was given in some areas of the field for emer-gence, due to shortage of moisture In the field. It gives gpod results for complete emergence of the tubers. After
completion of the emergence and when the plants attainted a height of 4-5 inches Inspection started to find out the virus infected plants or the abnormal plants. These plants were completely uprooted from the field. Weeding along with first earthing-up started after five to six weeks of plantation or when the plants attained a height of 6-9 Inches. During first earthing-up, mixed fertilizer at the rate of 20 kg Urea and 20 kg MP per acre was supplied on both sides of the row. After first earthing-up, drains were created tn between rows which helped in irrigating the field Second earthing-up were done considering the plant growth and the remaining fertilizer was applied during the second earthing-up.
The pesticides used were Heptachlor (as soil Insecti-
cide), Ripcord (as broad spectrum insecticide) and Diathanc M-45 (as fungicide). A cocktail spray of Ripcord and Diathane M-45 was the normal practice. Spray schedule was followed strictly and at least three to four sprays were made in each field during one crop season.
Rouging, (elimination of diseased and genetically diversified abnormal plants) continued from the early stage of plant growth till maturity. Every plot was visited carefully to ensure that the field is completely free from any abnormal plants.
An inspectorate team comprising BADC quality control
officials and specialist, scientist of Tuber Crops Research Centre CTCRC) of Bangladesh Agriculture Research Institute (BARI) and the Nethcrland Specialist working In Crop Diversification Programme of BADC regularly offered expert opinions and helped in the overall management of successful seed potato production.
Even one week before haulm killing, spraying was necessary to avoid infestation of nphids. Haulm killing started when the plants were 90-95 days old. We did It manually by cutting the plants Just from above the ground. Haulms were cleaned from the field to avoid any further infestation. Special care had been taken so that no new shots can grow from the cut stems.
Post-harvest Processing: Harvesting started after 8; 10 days of haulm killing. During harvesting special attcnUon was taken to avoid
heat Injury cutting of the tubers and cleaning of the tubers. Within 2-3 hours of harvesting, harvested tubers were carried from the field to the shed. Sorting of tubers started after 4-5 days in the shed according to the size prescribed by BADC officials. BADC procured only three different grades of seed potato; that 1s 28-35 mm is grade I, 35-45 mm is grade II and 45-55 mm is grade Ill. Rest of the harvest were disposed of locally.
Year-wise seed potato production in BAF
Lalmonirhat
Year Area under Seed pro-seed'potato cured by
tin sere) BADC fin
198687 io 20^00
198 7-88 50 239 12
1989-90 M 280.00
1991-92 40 180.00
Total: I .395 72
Production of seed potato is capital-intensive and per acre seed potato production cost varies depending on the price of seed, fertilizer and pesticides. Seed accounted for 32 to 45 per cent of total production cost, labour accounted for 20-30 per cent of the total production cost. Other costs Involved arc land preparation, manures and fertilizer, pesticide*, irrigation, rouging, harvesting and processing. Without skilled labour seed potato production Is completely impossible.
Seed potato production is a highly technical and tedious Job. All the techniques of quality seed production like field selection, isolation, crop rotation, selection of variety and seed, planting date, sanitation during tuber cutting, land preparation, application of manures and fertilizer, planting methods and distance, earthing-up and appilcaUon of second and third dose of fertilizer, use of pesticides, irrigation, rouging, regular Inspection and inspection by a national seed quality control team, timely haulm killing, harvesting, curing proper grading and finally careful packing and transportation were strictly followed to ensure quality seed potato production.
During the seven cropping seasons, BAF Lalmonlrhat has produced 1,395. 72 tons of quality seed potato in 299 acres of land. The average per acre yield of seed potato was 4.66 ton.
Prospects
North-West part of Bangladesh has the potentialities for raising high quality seed potato and the East Central part of Bangladesh produces 43.9% of the country's total potato. So these two regions may be selected for the country's seed potato production.
A sound national policy regarding seed production, seed quality control and seed certification appropriate to our agro-ccolpgy and socio-economic structure may be developed for future Intensification.
(The writer Is Squadron Leader, (5AF and an agriculturist and recipient of President Award)