Participatory evaluation and selection of potato varieties for organic production in the Philippine highlands

Organic potato production would be sustainable if varieties planted are adapted to low input and resistant to pests and diseases. Selection of varieties the conventional way limits the variety's performance and chance of selection. When farmers participate in the selection process, lesser time and resources are utilized and faster adoption of new varieties is achieved. 'Participatory research' was used by the project in different locations of the Philippine highlands to: evaluate and select potato varieties for organic production; document farmers' criteria in selecting potato entries and recommend potato varieties for organic production. The basic steps were followed in the participatory process such as identification and orientation of farmers, designing and planning of experiments and monitoring and evaluation, involving six farmers practicing organic production for the last three to five years. The project started with germplasm collection in 2004. A total of 55 potato entries were collected, characterized and multiplied through the rapid multiplication technique. Preliminary evaluation of the 55 entries was done at the BSU organic farm in 2005. During the trial, farmers and researchers selected 15 entries based on yield and resistance to late blight. From Nov 2005 to March 2006, multilocation trials of the 15 selected entries were conducted in different locations with elevations ranging from 1,136-2,350 m asl. Each farmer planted the 15 entries using his/her own practices of producing organic potato. Joint evaluation by the researcher and farmers resulted in the selection of six entries. CIP 13.1.1 significantly produced the highest mean yield (80.51 g/plant) across locations and was selected by all farmers and researchers. The six selected entries were advanced to the promotional trials in November 2006 to February 2007. CIP 380251.17 significantly outyielded the other entries with a mean yield of 147.77 g/plant and a return on cash expense of 80.59 percent across locations. Four entries were finally selected by the farmer-partners and researchers; CIP 380251.17, CIP 13.1.1, CIP 676089 and PHIL 5.19.2.2. These entries have mean yields ranging from 138.10 to 147.77 g/plant and return on cash expense of 52 to 80 percent across locations. The positive return on cash expense suggest that the selected potato entries could be used to promote organic potato entrepreneurship. These entries will finally be recommended for organic production in the highlands. Farmers mentioned desirable traits as their criteria for selection. The primary criterion is agronomic (high yield, late blight resistance and high canopy cover) and secondary are economic characteristics (tuber characteristics that meet market demands such as shape and color). The interaction with the farmers provided valuable information on the varietal characteristics important in organic farming. Farmers learned about on-farm research, thus, enahancing their ability to manage new potato varieties for organic production.