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

Influence of Micro-plant Hardening Methods on Aeroponic Potato Mini-tuber Production
23rd October, 2021
Abstract

For optimization of potato mini-tuber production through aeroponics, an experiment was conducted for the standardization of hardening methods for micro-plants in the aeroponic unit of Central Potato Research Institute, Shimla, HP, India. Three hardening methods were used: planting in pro-trays, acclimatization (1 week) and direct transplanting. Early tuberization was recorded when the plants were hardened in pro-trays. However, percentage survivability, number of tubers per plant and number of harvests were significantly better when the micro-plants were hardened by gradually acclimatizing to the natural climatic conditions (1 week).
See full article
Transplanting Hybrid Potato Seedlings at Increased Densities Enhances Tuber Yield and Shifts Tuber-Size Distributions
19th October, 2021
Abstract

To contribute to the development of a novel cropping system for potato grown from greenhouse-derived seedlings from hybrid true potato seeds, planting density trials were carried out under normal Dutch agronomic conditions. For two consecutive years, 5-week-old seedlings of two experimental genotypes were transplanted into farmers’ potato production fields at two contrasting locations: a flat-bed system on sandy soil and a traditional ridge system on clay soil. Planting densities were 6.25, 12.5, 25, 50, 100 and 200 plants/m2 in the flat-bed system, and 3.125, 4.688, 6.25, 12.5, 25 and 50 plants/m2 in the ridge system. In general, increasing planting density of hybrid seedlings per area decreased tuber fresh weight per plant and reduced the number of tubers per plant. On a per hectare basis, an increased planting density resulted in increased total tuber yield and number of tubers up to very high densities, but finally both parameters levelled off. Highest total tuber yields harvested were 107 and 45 Mg/ha for the flat-bed and ridge system, respectively. On flat-beds, the optimal planting density for total yield was 50 plants/m2. On ridges, planting density interacted with year and genotype, resulting in an optimum planting density of 25 plants/m2 to reach the maximum total yield. Obtained yields in the commercial size classes Baby Baker (20 < size class ≤ 35 mm) and Seed Tubers (28 < size class ≤ 50 mm) were in general very high on the flat-beds, with a maximum Seed Tuber yield of 64 Mg/ha at 50 plants/m2. The current study showed that transplanted hybrid seedlings are feasible alternatives for seed-tuber-grown systems for certain potato outlets.
See full article
Transcriptomic Responses of Potato to Drought Stress
9th October, 2021
Abstract

Transcriptomic changes in plants during drought stress give insights into the mechanisms with which plants stabilise their metabolic processes in order to cope with the drought condition. In potato, understanding such drought-induced transcriptomic changes is critical because prolonged field drought interferes with tuber formation and bulking period of potato development, which eventually affects yield. We hypothesised that phenotypic drought responses of potato genotypes may be linked to differences in transcriptomic changes. Using an RNA sequencing approach, we investigated such transcriptomic changes in leaves of three cultivars (Biogold, Hansa and Lady Rosetta) under drought. We found more differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the tolerant cultivars, Lady Rosetta and Biogold, than in the sensitive cultivar (Hansa). The differential gene expression trend reflected the phenotypic drought responses of the cultivars. For instance, we found in both Biogold and Lady Rosetta but not in Hansa, an upregulation of genes involved in carbohydrate metabolism (e.g., Alpha-glucosidase), flavonoid biosynthesis (e.g., Flavanone 3 beta-hydroxylase), lipid biosynthesis/transfer (e.g., nonspecific Lipid Transfer Proteins), heat shock proteins and secondary metabolites like phenolics and lignins. Furthermore, a prolonged drought stress resulted in reduced DEGs in Biogold and Hansa, but not in Lady Rosetta that also maintained its tuber yield under such prolonged stress suggesting a more robust drought tolerance. Our findings suggest that a synergistic expression of genes involved in several different aspects of drought response is required in order to obtain a robust tolerance.
See full article
Profiling of Polyphenols, Flavonoids and Anthocyanins in Potato Peel and Flesh from Four Potato Varieties
9th October, 2021
Abstract

In this study, total polyphenol, flavonoid and anthocyanin content (TPC, TFC and TAC), antioxidant activity (AA) and individual phenolic composition of potato peel and flesh from four potato varieties were investigated. On average, TPC, TFC and TAC in the peel were 1.59 times, 2.91 times and 1.46 times higher than in the flesh, respectively. As well, the AA measured by FRAP, DPPH and ABTS was 1.64 times, 2.19 times and 1.66 times higher than in the flesh, respectively. A total of thirteen individual phenolic compounds (gallic acid, protocatechuic acid, chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, p-coumaric acid, ferulic acid, myricetrin, kaempferol, delphinidin, petunidin, pelargonidin, peonidin, malvidin) and ascorbic acid were identified by HPLC. Phenolic acid (chlorogenic acid) and anthocyanidins (petunidin and peonidin) were predominant in both potato peels and flesh. In addition, a very high positive correlation was found between TPC, TFC and AA, suggesting that AA could be attributed to high polyphenol content. Potato peel could be used as an important source material in the production of functional food for consumers and food industry.
See full article
A Boost to Integrated Management of Certain Potato Diseases Using Metal Nanoparticles
29th September, 2021
Abstract

This work aimed to control potato pathogens using metal nanoparticles that can be integrated into potato disease management strategies. The preparation containing iron, zinc, copper and molybdenum nanoparticles (NPs) in a polymer film formed from a mixture of Na-carboxymethylcellulose and polyethylene glycol-400 was developed for potato protection from early blight (Alternaria solani Sorauer), black scurf and stem canker (Rhizoctonia solani Kühn) and late blight (Phytophthora infestans (Mont.) de Bary A) diseases. The optimal concentrations of metal NPs, Fe, Zn, Cu and Mo were 10–6%, 10–2%, 10–8% and 10–8%. Potato tubers were coated with metal NPs containing film before planting. Field trials were conducted in 2018 and 2019. Averaged over the 2 years, pre-planting treatment of seed tubers with nanopreparations of Fe, Zn, Cu and Mo reduced the prevalence and development degree of Alternaria spp. from 29.2% and 7.4%, respectively, to 10.8% and 2.0% and Phytophthora infestans from 12.8% and 2.1% to 0.9% and 0.1%, and the prevalence of Rhizoctonia solani from 8.4 to 6.5%. The pre-sowing treatment of potato tubers with metal NPs in the polymer composition increased crop yield by 25.7% (2018) and 28.1% (2019) and the yield of commercial tubers by 11.7% (2018) and 31.2% (2019) and did not affect the starch content and consumer qualities.
See full article

Latest Issues

Influence of Micro-plant Hardening Methods on Aeroponic Potato Mini-tuber Production

Abstract

Transplanting Hybrid Potato Seedlings at Increased Densities Enhances Tuber Yield and Shifts Tuber-Size Distributions

Abstract

Transcriptomic Responses of Potato to Drought Stress

Abstract

Profiling of Polyphenols, Flavonoids and Anthocyanins in Potato Peel and Flesh from Four Potato Varieties

Abstract

A Boost to Integrated Management of Certain Potato Diseases Using Metal Nanoparticles

Abstract

EAPR Sustaining Members