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

The Potato Tuber Moth, Phthorimaea operculella (Zeller), in India: Biology, Ecology, and Control
11th June, 2019
Abstract

Phthorimaea operculella occurs in almost all potato-producing states in India and is considered to be a major potato pest in several states. The larva attacks all vegetative parts of the potato, and most economic damage occurs to potato tubers both before harvest in the field and during storage. The tuber damage in storage has been stated to range from 1 to 72.5% in the endemic states. In Karnataka and Himachal Pradesh, up to 100% losses in storage have been reported. In India, maximum moth activity in the spring (January–May) crop occurs during March–May, whereas in the summer (May–October) crop in hilly areas, peak activity occurs in October. Temperature is positively correlated, whereas RH has a negative influence. In stores, maximum activity occurs in July. Moderate temperature around 23–24 °C is conducive for oviposition and development. Development time from egg–adult varies considerably (20–165 days). In tropics and subtropics, 7–13 generations are completed annually. For its management, use of healthy seed, field sanitation, deep planting, and proper ridging contribute significantly. In India, generally, 1–2 insecticide applications are given for its control in spring and autumn (October–December) crops. Field releases of Copidosoma koehleri and Chelonus blackburni integrated with Bacillus thuringiensis and Phthorimaea operculella granulosis virus are effective in areas having moderate temperature and high RH. In storage, dry leaves of Eucalyptus, Lantana, Ageratum, Eupatorium, soapnut, and wheat straw offer significant reduction in infestation. CIPC is helpful in reducing losses due to sprouting, but it also indicates very good potential against P. operculella in storage.
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Improvement of Water Productivity, Economics and Energetics of Potato through Straw Mulching and Irrigation Scheduling in Indian Punjab
6th June, 2019
Abstract

A field experiment was conducted to assess the effect of straw mulching and irrigation scheduling on water balance, economics and energetics of potato during 2013–2014 and 2014–2015. The experiment was laid out in a split plot design with mulch levels (no mulch and mulch 6.25 t ha−1) in the main plots and four irrigation schedules {ridge planting furrow irrigation (RPFI), bed planting furrow irrigation (BPFI), ridge planting drip irrigation (RPDI) and bed planting drip irrigation (BPDI)} in the subplots. Straw mulching resulted in 19.0% higher potato tuber yield than no mulch as a result of 36.2 mm higher transpiration and 44.2 mm lower soil evaporation. Energy productivity (EP) and energy use efficiency (EUE) were also significantly higher with straw mulch than no mulch with US$498 ha−1 higher net returns in pooled data of both years. Drip irrigation of beds and ridges resulted in 34.9% and 26.4% higher tuber yields, respectively, than furrow irrigation along with savings of 23.3 and 53.3 mm irrigation water, respectively. Seasonal transpiration was 31.0 and 31.7% higher in ridge- and bed-planted drip-irrigated crops, respectively, than furrow-irrigated crops in pooled data. Apparent and real water productivities were significantly higher in drip irrigated crops compared to furrow irrigated crops. RPDI and BPDI crops gave US$612 and US$876 ha−1 higher net returns with 35.7 and 28.8% higher EUE than RPFI and BPFI, respectively.
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Book Review: G. Wang-Pruski (Ed): Achieving Sustainable Cultivation of Potatoes Volume 1: Breeding Improved Varieties
3rd June, 2019
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Infrared Radiometry as a Tool for Early Water Deficit Detection: Insights into Its Use for Establishing Irrigation Calendars for Potatoes Under Humid Conditions
1st June, 2019
Abstract

Low radiation is one of the most important factors which limits potential yield in potato. Under humid conditions, the dominance of diffuse radiation not only imposes challenges for radiation use efficiency in crops but also limits the water status surveillance through non-invasive methods like infrared radiometry. This study was carried out in the humid desert of the Peruvian central coast with the aim to relate maximum stomatal conductance (gs_max, an important water status indicator) with leaf and air temperature (dT) and crop water stress index (CWSI). In a potted trial, gs_max vs. dT were compared along the day in well-irrigated (field capacity) and water restricted (half field capacity) plants. In an additional field experiment, CWSI was validated by testing two irrigation timing treatments with pre-established gs_max threshold (0.15 [T1] and 0.50 [T2] mol H2O m−2 s−1) against a control (frequently irrigated). An acute stomatal closure sensitivity was detected which drove a gs_max fall (gs↓) near the solar noon. The intense stomatal closure caused a dT rise which showed positive higher values (> 2 °C) after gs↓. The significant yield reduction of T1 in relation to the control (− 38.2 ± 10.7%) highlighted that gs_max values > 0.15 must be used to warrant a high potato yield. These findings support the use of CWSI values ≤ 0.3–0.4 as thresholds for an appropriate irrigation in potatoes with assessments taken at around 15:00 hours, time in which plants have accumulated enough radiation allowing an appropriate detection of thermal emission under humid conditions.
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Squash Print Reverse Transcription Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification Assay for Detection of Potato leafroll virus in Single Aphid and in Potato
22nd May, 2019
Abstract

A squash print reverse transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification amplification (SP-RT-LAMP) assay was developed for detection of Potato leafroll virus (PLRV) in a single aphid. Healthy aphids were given an acquisition feeding on potato plants infected with PLRV, and the acquired aphids were used for RNA isolation. The RT-LAMP assay was carried out using LAMP primers targeting the coat protein gene of PLRV. The amplified product was run on agarose gel; a typical ladder-like pattern in the acquired aphids indicated that the assay was able to detect PLRV from an individual aphid. The results of the RT-LAMP assay for the detection of PLRV in a single aphid were also visualized directly by adding fluorescent dye in LAMP amplified product. These results were confirmed by RT-PCR detection where an amplicon of expected size of 492 bp was observed in virus-acquired single aphids. The assay was optimized with respect to its isothermal amplification temperature and its incubation period. The technique was examined for its relative selectivity with other potato viruses transmitted by aphids where it did not show any cross-reactivity with the tested viruses indicating its specificity. With respect to its relative sensitivity, it was found to be equally sensitive as the existing RT-PCR assay. It was also found to be robust and highly reproducible as it was able to detect PLRV from known and unknown single aphid samples. The assay was successful in detection of PLRV in potato plants and tubers as well. Hence, we conclude that the assay is simple, sensitive and economical for detection of PLRV in single aphid and in potato plants and tubers.
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Latest Issues

The Potato Tuber Moth, Phthorimaea operculella (Zeller), in India: Biology, Ecology, and Control

Abstract

Improvement of Water Productivity, Economics and Energetics of Potato through Straw Mulching and Irrigation Scheduling in Indian Punjab

Abstract

Book Review: G. Wang-Pruski (Ed): Achieving Sustainable Cultivation of Potatoes Volume 1: Breeding Improved Varieties

Infrared Radiometry as a Tool for Early Water Deficit Detection: Insights into Its Use for Establishing Irrigation Calendars for Potatoes Under Humid Conditions

Abstract

Squash Print Reverse Transcription Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification Assay for Detection of Potato leafroll virus in Single Aphid and in Potato

Abstract

EAPR Sustaining Members