Performance of Hunza Hills produce as a source of seed potatoes for autumn crop in the Punjab [Pakistan]
1995
Tariq, A.H. (Vegetable Research Inst., Faisalabad (Pakistan)) | Mahmood, M.M. (Pakistan Agricultural Research Council, Islamabad (Pakistan). Pak-Swiss Potato Development Project) | Chaudhary, M.S.
Out of 3 crops of potato in Pakistan, the autumn crop assumes the top most position as 70% of the total potato area is put under this crop. At present the seed requirements are met mostly though autumn to autumn cycle. However this seed degenerates within 2-3 yrs owing to the exposure of imported seed to the virus vector during spring season. The hill crop though free from virus vector is harvested in Sep-Oct, while autumn crop in Punjab plains is planted during the same period and as such the dormancy of hill crop is still not over. An experiment was therefore designed to overcome the dormancy problem of Hunza Hill seed tubers by early vine cutting, storing the seed at high atmospheric temperature (35-36 C) for 20 days and eliminating the apical dominance by cutting the seed tubers just before planting. The emergence percentage, soil coverage, tuber grades and yield potential of the seed from early removed vines and subsequently cut tubers were comparable with control i.e. imported seed once multiplied in spring. Thus early harvest of Hunza summer crop can be entered direct into main autumn crop leaving aside the spring season for further multiplication through autumn to autumn seed production system and thus promises to eliminate the risk of virus infection during the spring season. The technique may thus prolong the utility of the high value local/imported seed i.e. instead of degenerating in 2-3 years it may continue to be planted for 7-8 years without significant reduction in yield. The studies were conducted on variety Desiree.
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