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Potato virus-free seed breeding technology. Source: Seed Technology. Category: Technical Articles. Updated: October 29, 2008, 16:13:05. Read 74 times.
Author: Shen Qingling (Huzhu County Seed Management Station)
The promotion and application of virus-free potato seeds is a key strategy for increasing potato yields. The quality of the seed directly impacts the success of field production. Therefore, maintaining the high-quality traits of virus-free seed potatoes, preventing viral infections, and avoiding variety degeneration are crucial steps in producing superior seed potatoes.
1. Preparation of Original Seeds
High-purity, virus-free seed potatoes should be selected as breeding material. These should come from specialized units that produce virus-free seeds. Each seed should weigh between 20 to 30 grams, with no insect damage, breakage, or sprouting. They should have smooth skin and uniform size. Approximately 90 to 120 kg per mu is required. Whole potatoes must be used for planting, and mulching techniques are not recommended.
2. Selection of Planting Sites
Breeding areas should be located in cool, moist, and wind-sheltered regions that are easy to access. The area should be free of locusts and other pests, and ideally surrounded by natural barriers or non-cruciferous crops. The soil should be fertile, loose, and evenly nutritious. The terrain should be open and flat, and no non-virus-free varieties or multiple types of virus-free varieties should be planted to avoid reinfection.
3. Deep Plowing
Deep plowing helps loosen the soil, promote organic matter decomposition, improve water retention, and enhance soil structure. It is best done when the soil moisture content is between 40% and 60%, at a depth of 20 to 30 cm. This process is often combined with chemical soil treatments. A single pass is made during base fertilizer application, followed by another pass.
4. Balanced Fertilization
Potatoes require rich nutrients, so organic fertilizers should be added. However, manure containing leaves of solanaceous plants like potatoes should be avoided. Virus-free seed potatoes have strong growth potential and need adequate base fertilizer. Typically, 5,000 kg of high-quality organic fertilizer is applied, along with 23 kg of pure nitrogen, 4.6 kg of phosphorus pentoxide, and 26 kg of potassium oxide. During the flowering period, top-dressing with 5–10 kg of compound fertilizer per mu or a foliar spray of 0.3% potassium dihydrogen phosphate solution is recommended.
5. Planting
5.1 Reasonable Planting Density: Generally, 4,500 to 5,500 plants per mu are planted, with a row spacing of 50 to 65 cm and plant spacing of 25 to 35 cm.
5.2 Planting Date and Depth: The soil should be 10 cm deep, with a ground temperature of 7 to 8°C. In Qinghai Province, it is usually suitable to plant from late April to early May, with a sowing depth of 8 to 12 cm.
6. Field Management
6.1 Soil Loosening and Weeding: Virus-free seed potatoes grow quickly, so timely management is essential. During the early growth stage, manual weeding can help increase soil temperature and strengthen root development. When the plants reach about 20 cm in height, the second soil cultivation should be done before mulching.
6.2 Removal of Diseased and Mixed Varieties: At the seedling stage, budding stage, full bloom, and 20 to 25 days after flowering, inspect the fields and remove any diseased or mixed plants. During harvest, only healthy plants should be selected, and those showing signs of disease, deformation, or cracking should be discarded.
6.3 Pest Control: Pesticides should be used to control underground pests such as wireworms and beetles. If late blight is detected, spraying should be used to manage the disease.
7. Harvesting and Storage
Harvesting should be done carefully to prevent frost damage and mechanical injury. After harvesting, the tubers should be left to cool for a day or two in the air and sunlight. When storing, handle them gently to avoid collisions. Adjust the temperature and humidity in the storage pit. The ideal storage temperature is 2 to 4°C with 80% relative humidity. Ensure good ventilation to allow the potatoes to breathe properly and prevent rotting or premature sprouting. Different varieties should be stored separately. The storage pit should be thoroughly cleaned one month before harvest and fumigated with formalin. During storage, protect against freezing, excessive heat, and moisture, and avoid mixing different varieties to maintain seed quality.