Potato Research

The European Association for Potato Research (EAPR) publishes a journal, Potato Research, which includes original scientific contributions on both fundamental and applied research on potatoes, review articles and topics of general interest. It also contains Association news and reports on section meetings (including abstracts of papers presented).
A volume of the Journal (usually approximately 450 pages), consists of four issues, published in the same year. Submission of manuscripts is exclusively online via a web-based electronic submission and tracking system available at https://www.editorialmanager.com/potr

EAPR Members have online access to Potato Research (use the EAPR member login page)
A list of addresses of editors of ‘Potato Research’
Contents of ‘Potato Research’ can be found at Springerlink
Instructions for authors
Any comments regarding the publication and distribution of Potato Research should be addressed to EAPR

Springer Link

https://link.springer.com/journal/11540

Latest Issues

Understanding the Significance of Weather and Soil Microclimate for Improvement of Potato Yield Using SUBSTOR and Statistical Models
30th January, 2024
Abstract

Potato (Solanum tuberosum) production at subtropical latitude is highly influenced by varying weather and soil microclimate. There is a need to quantify the requirement of key weather and soil climatic variables during the critical growth stages of potato. The present investigation was carried out to study the effect of varying weather and soil microclimatic factors during critical growth stages on potato yield in the subtropical climate. Field experiments were conducted in 2018–2019 and 2019–2020 at Kharagpur, India, to determine the relationship between key weather as well as soil microclimate factors and potato tuber yield. The experimental data were used for validation of the crop model DSSAT-SUBSTOR-Potato and simulation of potato tuber yield for varying weather. The effects of three weather variables, i.e. maximum temperature (Tmax), minimum temperature (Tmin), and solar radiation (Srad), and two soil variables, i.e. soil moisture (SM) content and soil temperature (ST), on potato yield were assessed through regression analysis. During the ‘Emergence to tuber initiation’ stage, the factors Tmax, Srad, and SM and during ‘Tuber initiation to maturity’ stage, the factors Srad and SM had significant effects (p ≤ 0.05) on potato production. The optimum values of Tmax were 17.58 (± 1.97) and 27.39 (± 0.9) °C; Srad values were 14.28 (± 2.03) and 19.32 (± 1.96) MJ m−2 day−1; and SM values were 21.79 (± 2.35) and 21.77 (± 1.74) % during ‘emergence to tuber initiation’ and ‘tuber initiation to maturity’ stages, respectively, for increased potato production. The results stated the need for an optimum planting window for providing favourable weather and soil microclimate for potato production in subtropical climate.
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Evaluation of the Thermo-tolerance Effect on Cell Suspension Culture in Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.)
27th January, 2024
Abstract

In this study, the effect of heat stress pretreatment factors on cell suspension culture of potato was investigated. The duration of stress pretreatment at 5–50 °C for 20 min was evaluated by measuring cell growth and viability using the trypan blue exclusion method. Data were collected by measuring the dry weight of suspended cells, duration of heat stress, growth, and biomass content at the respective time points. Cell viability was negatively affected by 85 to 25% after pretreatment with heat stress between 35 and 50 °C. However, suspended cells exposed to 30 °C and 35 °C during the recovery period began to regain viability at 75% and 69%, respectively, after 55 h. In suspended cells treated at 40 °C or high temperatures, a complete decrease in cell viability was observed, resulting in no recovery of growth. In potato cell suspension cultures, heat treatments at 40 °C or above for 20 min not only have an immediate effect on cell viability, but also lead to subsequent cell death. Effective viability tests showed the natural heat tolerance of potato plants in cell suspension cultures. The basic parameters of cellular response to heat determined in this study will be helpful in selecting heat-tolerant potato varieties by establishing in vitro cell suspension cultures.
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Evolution of Indian Frozen French Fry Industry: Industrial Constraints, Challenges and Future Prospects
20th January, 2024
Abstract

Frozen food industry is gaining momentum in the developing world. Rapid urbanisation and the expansion of the fast food industry have greatly contributed to the significant expansion of India's potato processing sector, particularly in relation to the popular and fast-selling food item, French fries. Despite being the world's second-largest producer of potatoes, India processes only a small fraction, approximately 0.6%, of its total potato production into frozen French fries. In contrast, industrialised countries typically process over 80% of their potato harvest into frozen French fries. Current consumption patterns and preferences indicate that there is significant potential for further expansion in the Indian frozen French fry industry. According to an analysis of the Indian Agri-processing industry, the future demand for processing potatoes is projected to be highest for French fries, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11.6% followed by dehydrated potato flakes (7.6% CAGR) and potato crisps (4.5% CAGR). Factors limiting industry expansion mainly include technical challenges (availability of poor quality seed; limited genetic base for the development of new varieties; prevalent diseases like late blight) and natural resource constraints (declining water tables associated with unpredictable and reduced rainfall). The primary issue facing the industry is consistent and assured supply of high-quality raw materials. This review describes the scenario of the Indian potato processing industry, developments in the frozen French fry industry in terms of market trends, new cultivars and technology. It also tackles concerns and highlights areas for enhancing and establishing a sustainable processing industry.
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Enhancing Cadmium Stress Tolerance in Potato Plants Through Overexpression of the VvWRKY2 Transcription Factor
20th January, 2024
Abstract

WRKY transcription factors (TF) are identified as important regulating plant proteins involved in stress response signaling pathways. Overexpression of these transcription factors in plants improved plant biotic and abiotic stress responses. In this context, we have envisaged transferring a cDNA encoding the grapevine VvWRKY2TF in potato plants. Four transgenic lines were selected (BFW2A, BFW2C, BFW2D, and BFW2F). In the present study, their response to Cadmium (Cd) stress (50, 100, 150, and 300 μM) was evaluated in vitro. Cadmium is recognized as being among the most harmful heavy metals to plants. Its accumulation in plant cells and tissues disturbs cell homeostasis and causes numerous metabolic damages that affect productivity. The wildtype (WT) plants from the BF15 potato variety and the transgenic plants overexpressing VvWRKY2TF were submitted to cadmium in vitro stress for 20 days. Plant growth and oxidative stress parameters were followed in these plants. All transgenic plants appeared more vigorous than WT. The BFW2A, BFW2C, and BFW2D lines showed better stem development rates than the WT and BFW2F lines. Malondialdehyde (MDA) production in both roots and leaves was reduced in BFW2A, BFW2C, and BFW2D plants as compared to BFW2F and WT plants. This result was associated with the best antioxidant activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) displayed by these genetically modified lines suggesting their better adaptation to Cd stress conditions. Cd accumulation in plant tissues was investigated, and higher levels of Cd were found in transgenic plants than in WT plants. These findings point to a functional Cd sequestration mechanism in the roots of transgenic plants expressing VvWRKY2. These findings imply that the VvWRKY2 TF is implicated in heavy metal response signaling processes. Its overexpression in plants may be an efficient strategy to reduce the negative effects of Cd stress, promoting the growth patterns and the activity of reactive oxygen species-scavenging enzymes in potato plants.

Graphical Abstract

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Correction to: Forecasting Potato Production in Major South Asian Countries: a Comparative Study of Machine Learning and Time Series Models
18th January, 2024
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Latest Issues

Understanding the Significance of Weather and Soil Microclimate for Improvement of Potato Yield Using SUBSTOR and Statistical Models

Abstract

Evaluation of the Thermo-tolerance Effect on Cell Suspension Culture in Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.)

Abstract

Evolution of Indian Frozen French Fry Industry: Industrial Constraints, Challenges and Future Prospects

Abstract

Enhancing Cadmium Stress Tolerance in Potato Plants Through Overexpression of the VvWRKY2 Transcription Factor

Abstract

Graphical Abstract

Correction to: Forecasting Potato Production in Major South Asian Countries: a Comparative Study of Machine Learning and Time Series Models

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