Potato production faces increasingly severe agronomic problems, including intensive production and pedoclimatic changes. Increasing pest/disease incidence is contributing to inadequate application of pesticides and external fertilizers. This study aims to identify critical agri-environmental challenges currently faced by potato growers in Europe, assessing the needs and priorities of end-users to determine the feasibility of integrating more sustainable farming practices into potato cultivation. Additionally, we identified sustainable strategies to reduce reliance on external inputs. A total of 203 potato stakeholders from six European pedoclimatic areas completed a survey in 2020 to identify agronomic and environmental problems, priorities for action, and best-suited sustainable farming practices. Statistical and multicriteria decision analysis was then performed. Subsequently, focus group meetings with stakeholders were organized to present and discuss results and validate and complement them. Stakeholders perceived that more sustainable potato production involved reducing tillage intensity, using organic nutrient sources, increasing soil organic matter and, especially, diversifying crop rotations. Barriers to adopting new sustainable practices included farmers’ lack of knowledge regarding novel farming practices and the need for expert technical advice. Some practices are complex, but also economic impediments. Therefore, thorough research, clear demonstrations, and tailored advice are crucial to farmers to lead agriculture toward profitable, sustainable systems.

Potato production faces increasingly severe agronomic problems, including intensive production and pedoclimatic changes. Increasing pest/disease incidence is contributing to inadequate application of pesticides and external fertilizers. This study aims to identify critical agri-environmental challenges currently faced by potato growers in Europe, assessing the needs and priorities of end-users to determine the feasibility of integrating more sustainable farming practices into potato cultivation. Additionally, we identified sustainable strategies to reduce reliance on external inputs. A total of 203 potato stakeholders from six European pedoclimatic areas completed a survey in 2020 to identify agronomic and environmental problems, priorities for action, and best-suited sustainable farming practices. Statistical and multicriteria decision analysis was then performed. Subsequently, focus group meetings with stakeholders were organized to present and discuss results and validate and complement them. Stakeholders perceived that more sustainable potato production involved reducing tillage intensity, using organic nutrient sources, increasing soil organic matter and, especially, diversifying crop rotations. Barriers to adopting new sustainable practices included farmers’ lack of knowledge regarding novel farming practices and the need for expert technical advice. Some practices are complex, but also economic impediments. Therefore, thorough research, clear demonstrations, and tailored advice are crucial to farmers to lead agriculture toward profitable, sustainable systems.

We evaluated the impact of incorporating cover crops (CC) in commercial potato production, primarily to alleviate the severe soil erosion recorded in Mediterranean climate agriculture. As part of a 3-year study on this subject, we have developed complete agronomic management practices that enable sowing, growing and harvesting potatoes in soil covered with CC. This management scheme includes adjustment of specific management practices and farming machinery. In this paper, we explore the impact of including CC in potato production on runoff and soil erosion, weed suppression, and potato yield and quality. These are evaluated at the environmental, agronomic and economic levels. Our results clearly show that potato production under CC generates no yield reduction or nutrient deficiencies, reduces soil erosion by 95% and reduces runoff by more than 60%. Incorporation of CC in potato-growing practices also results in suppression of weeds (both species and biomass). The direct benefit to the grower from CC adoption is estimated at a 1.3% savings in variable costs of production. The benefit for the grower, along with additional environmental benefits translated to economic public goods calls for public intervention to support the transition from the conventional practices to CC practiced is essential.

Potato production faces increasingly severe agronomic problems, including intensive production and pedoclimatic changes. Increasing pest/disease incidence is contributing to inadequate application of pesticides and external fertilizers. This study aims to identify critical agri-environmental challenges currently faced by potato growers in Europe, assessing the needs and priorities of end-users to determine the feasibility of integrating more sustainable farming practices into potato cultivation. Additionally, we identified sustainable strategies to reduce reliance on external inputs. A total of 203 potato stakeholders from six European pedoclimatic areas completed a survey in 2020 to identify agronomic and environmental problems, priorities for action, and best-suited sustainable farming practices. Statistical and multicriteria decision analysis was then performed. Subsequently, focus group meetings with stakeholders were organized to present and discuss results and validate and complement them. Stakeholders perceived that more sustainable potato production involved reducing tillage intensity, using organic nutrient sources, increasing soil organic matter and, especially, diversifying crop rotations. Barriers to adopting new sustainable practices included farmers’ lack of knowledge regarding novel farming practices and the need for expert technical advice. Some practices are complex, but also economic impediments. Therefore, thorough research, clear demonstrations, and tailored advice are crucial to farmers to lead agriculture toward profitable, sustainable systems.

• Sweet potato yields have increased over the past decade partly due to introduction of improved high yielding varieties but yields still fall short of the potential. • Some of the factors constraining productivity growth include over-recycling of seed among farmers and poor agronomic practices due to limited extension services. • The release of Orange Fleshed Sweet Potato (OFSP) varieties have contributed to decline in Vitamin A deficiency in Malawi, contributing to improved nutrition status. • Demand for sweet potato and associated products is increasing partly due to increased urbanization and vulnerability of maize to climate change impacts. • To improve Malawi’s sweet potato value chain, the following recommendations are made: significant investments in seed systems, irrigation, post-harvest, value addition and agro-processing technologies in response to identified market and industry needs; investments in research and extension on improved varieties, good agronomic practices, and pest and diseases prevention and control; and investments to link farmers, farmer organizations and processors through contract farming arrangements and scaling up of Orange-Fleshed Sweet Potato (OFSP) varieties to maintain sufficient Vitamin A intake.

KEY FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS • Sweet potato yields have increased over the past decade partly due to introduction of improved high yielding varieties but yields still fall short of the potential. • Some of the factors constraining productivity growth include over-recycling of seed among farmers and poor agronomic practices due to limited extension services. • The release of Orange Fleshed Sweet Potato (OFSP) varieties have contributed to decline in Vitamin A deficiency in Malawi, contributing to improved nutrition status. • Demand for sweet potato and associated products is increasing partly due to increased urbanization and vulnerability of maize to climate change impacts. • To improve Malawi’s sweet potato value chain, the following recommendations are made: significant investments in seed systems, irrigation, post-harvest, value addition and agro-processing technologies in response to identified market and industry needs; investments in research and extension on improved varieties, good agronomic practices, and pest and diseases prevention and control; and investments to link farmers, farmer organizations and processors through contract farming arrangements and scaling up of Orange-Fleshed Sweet Potato (OFSP) varieties to maintain sufficient Vitamin A intake.

Iron deficiency is a serious global issue, particularly in developing countries. Individuals are suffering from iron deficiency due to monotonous consumption of cereal based diets, which are unable to provide adequate amounts of iron. The majority of these people cannot afford a diversified diet, iron supplements and iron fortified food products. The development of iron biofortified potatoes could provide a sustainable solution to this problem. The leading strategies for crop biofortification include agronomic practices, plant breeding and transgenic approaches. Previous reports have highlighted that agronomic practices are not very effective for iron biofortification of potato. However, extensive genetic variability for iron content in potato gene pool makes it an ideal crop for iron biofortification through genetic approaches. Therefore, genotypes with high iron content could be used as parental lines in potato breeding programs. The screening of genes or QTLs responsible for high iron content in these genotypes could pave the way for the development of iron biofortified potatoes through marker-assisted selection, speed breeding and transgenic approaches.

A discussion on results of experiments carried out at the Coast Agricultural Research Station in Kenya on potato agronomy. High temperature is the major constraint in potato production at the Kenyan coast and hence development of agronomic (field) practices that will physically change the crop microclimate and increase yields are enhanced. Studies are being carried out on spacing, weeding, mulching, fertilizer application and intercropping of which mulching has already been found to improve the potato yield

A study was conducted at Aroostook Farm, near Presque Isle, Maine, 1954 to 1958, inclusive, to determine the effects of certain agronomic cultural practices designed to delay emergence of potato plants and to decrease their exposure to infestation by spring migrants. This technical bulletin reports the results of that study.