The production of seed potatoes by hydroponic methods in Brazil

Abstract

In recent years, hydroponics has proven to be a very successful strategy for the production of pre-basic seed potatoes. Hydroponic techniques are much more efficient than the more traditional methods of cultivation of seed potatoes (i.e. in fields, planting beds or containers) and productivity can be three times greater (15 vs. 5 tubers/plant, respectively). Hydroponic methods not only facilitate the adequate supply of nutrients to the plants but also permit multiple harvesting of mini-tubers, a procedure that can be performed at specified intervals throughout the production cycle. The number of mini-tubers obtained via systematic harvesting is high in comparison with a single harvest strategy and the product obtained will be of uniform size. Since hydroponic cultivation avoids attack by pests and the dissemination of pathogens, the resulting tubers are normally disease-free. The main aspects concerning the production of seed potatoes are presented in this review.