Managing the Potato Production System

0734

Bill Bryan Dean

• Publisher: CRC Press
• Year: 2018
• Topic: Technology & Engineering
• eBook ISBN:
  9781351434027
• Subtopic: Biology
• Index: Technology & Engineering

This important book on the culture of the potato presents scientific information for potato growers in an easily accessible format and clear language. Managing the Potato Production System contains all the information needed to harvest a bountiful crop. The book is written specifically for field production-oriented technicians and growers and makes the knowledge of production systems easy for readers to apply by providing essential background information, suggestions for incorporating the information into a total production system, and sample forms for collecting data to assist proper and timely decision making. Special sections on harvesting and storage emphasize techniques for protecting the quality of the crop while other chapters provide helpful information on reporting trends in marketing to aid future planning efforts. This easy-to-use guide directs producers to the most critical areas of production, storage, and marketing, helping them to control or influence factors that will result in a healthy, plentiful crop. This is a valuable reference to be consulted for solutions to specific problems or ways to take advantage of opportunities as they occur.Managing the Potato Production System is more than abstract theory; the systems described here have been proven in one or more actual cases of potato production. The strategies devised in this volume help potato producers grow an economically viable crop in a manner that can be sustained over generations with positive impact on the environment. The book concentrates on the interpretation of scientific findings about potatoes and production beginning with a discussion of the origin of the crop, its distribution, and history of its production in the United States. Other chapters feature explanations of the factors which affect potato production including the genetics of Solanum tuberosum in regard to variety (cultivar) improvement and the effect of potato breeding on production.Specific t

Chapter 1

History and Marketing

INTRODUCTION

The scientific (Latin) name for the common cultivated potato has three parts: the family, Solanaceae; the genus, Solanum; and the species, tuberosum. Eight species of the cultivated potato of the genus Solanum exist (Table 1). Though they may not seem important to producers, they are an essential part of potato breeding programs throughout the world. They provide genetic characteristics that can be incorporated into new cultivars (cvs, cultivated varieties). In addition, there are at least 154 other species of Solanum which are found in the areas where potatoes originated. As scientists unravel the genetics of these species and are able through conventional or new breeding techniques to incorporate their desirable characteristics (genes), fundamental changes in potato production will occur. As an example, when resistance to late blight was incorporated into potatoes in Europe, famines like those that occurred in the 1700s and 1800s were no longer a major concern. Significant advances in genetic improvement in potatoes are anticipated within a short period, particularly with regard to virus, insect, and nematode resistances. These improvements will occur as the basic genetic information obtained from studying the pests and the natural resistance found in the Solanum gene pool (wild and cultivated potatoes) is utilized.

The cultivated potato had its origin in the Andean mountains of South America. Some other Solanum species have been shown to have originated in areas further north through Central America and into North America (Correll, 1962; Medsger, 1939). The International Potato Center (CIP) was established in Lima, Peru, with one of its purposes being to gather and maintain wild and cultivated potatoes from these areas for use in developing new potato cultivars. This center provides basic genetic material and training for people around the world, and is responsible for preventing the loss of this valuable genetic resource. The breeding programs in the United States obtain desirable species from this resource base through the plant introduction station in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin.

History and Marketing

The history of the potato in North America is somewhat clouded. It was probably introduced to colonists from England via Bermuda in 1621 (Hawkes, 1978). Although potatoes as a crop originated and were grown in South America, they had to travel to Europe, be accepted there as a food crop, and then return to North America for introduction.

The location of potato production in the United States has changed based on consumer needs, new markets, and technological developments. During the period when fresh potato consumption was the primary use for this crop, and transportation was slow or unavailable, the production regions were located in the vicinity of large towns and developing cities. Following the development of rail and truck transportation and processing techniques whi...

Table of contents

• Cover
• Title Page
• Copyright Page
• Table of Contents
• List of Figures
• List of Tables
• Foreword
• Preface
• Chapter 1: History and Marketing
• Chapter 2: Potato Breeding
• Chapter 3: Potato Seed
• Chapter 4: Anatomy and Morphology: Growth and Development
• Chapter 5: Cultivation, Fertilization, and Irrigation
• Chapter 6: Insect Pests
• Chapter 7: Diseases
• Chapter 8: Physiological Disorders
• Chapter 9: Harvesting, Handling, and Storage
• Chapter 10: Potato Quality
• References
• Additional Reading
• Appendix
• Index