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

Genetic Diversity of Potato Cultivars for Nitrogen Use Efficiency Under Contrasting Nitrogen Regimes
14th October, 2019
Abstract

Developing cultivars that use nitrogen more efficiently is a sustainable strategy for reducing nitrogen use in crop production. To assess the genetic diversity for nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) and related traits in potato, a total of 97 (88 for the Western-European market and 9 Ethiopian) cultivars were evaluated at two nitrogen levels (40 kg/ha and 120 kg/ha) for 24 quantitative traits in Debre-Tabor and Injibara (Ethiopia) in the 2013 main rainy season (June to September). Highly significant variation was found among genotypes for almost all measured traits. Plant height, NUE, tuber yield, and yield-related traits and model parameters for canopy development (maximum canopy covers area under the canopy curve) were significantly affected by N levels across locations. Dutch cultivars had more rapid initial canopy development and matured earlier than the Ethiopian cultivars at both N levels and locations. A hierarchical cluster analysis grouped the cultivars in 9 and 11 genetically distinct classes at low and high N, respectively. The genetic component accounted for a large portion of the phenotypic variation for plant height, tuber number per plant, average tuber weight, and NUE under both N regimes, as indicated by a high heritability. Strong phenotypic correlations were observed between NUE and tuber number per plant, days to maturity, tuber dry matter %, maximum canopy cover, and area under the canopy curve under both low and high N conditions. The result is indicative to set the best parental line selection criteria for crossing purpose and utilize the cultivars for further potato NUE breeding programmes.
See full article
Potential of the Blattisocius mali Mite (Acari: Blattisociidae) as a Biological Control Agent of Potato Tubermoth (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) in Stored Potatoes
12th October, 2019
Abstract

Potato tubermoth (PTM) Phthorimaea operculella (Lep.: Gelechiidae) is one of the pest species affecting Solanaceae worldwide. It can cause up to 80% of losses in potato open air crops as well as damage up to 100% of tubers during storage. Blattisocius (= Typhlodromus) mali (Acari: Blattisociidae), a predatory mite, was studied as a potential biological control agent of PTM. A prey acceptance bioassay of PTM eggs was carried out. Additionally, two bioassays have been conducted under microcosm conditions, which assessed the densities of mite releases at two levels of PTM infestation. The results showed that B. mali female adults accept PTM eggs as prey, and they cause a mortality rate 89.63 ± 2.47%, 48 h later. In addition to this, under microcosm conditions with potato tubers, we found at low infestation level that the effectiveness of the predatory mite varied from 72.50 ± 28.50 to 100%, 28 days later, according to the release rate of mites. Under high infestation level, the effectiveness of biological control of the pest varied from 53.36 ± 25.55 to 92.51 ± 7.88%, also according to the release rate of the mites. The possible use of biological control with B. mali of PTM, in different types of potato storage, is analysed and discussed.
See full article
Stability Analysis of Tuber Yield and Starch Yield in Mid-Late and Late Maturing Starch Cultivars of Potato ( Solanum tuberosum )
16th September, 2019
Abstract

Potato is one the of world’s most important crops. It is grown primarily for human consumption but is also used to feed cattle and to produce alcohol and starch. In modern industry, potatoes are a major source of starch. Unpredictable growing conditions strongly influence the cultivation of starch potatoes. One of the best methods for dealing with unpredictable stresses, including those caused by climate change, is cultivation of stable and high yielding cultivars. In the present work, tuber yield and starch yield from a Polish post-registration series of field trials conducted in the years 2013–2016 were analyzed using three different linear mixed models, which can be associated with three different stability measures. It is shown that cultivar Pokusa was the highest yielding and the most stable cultivar in terms of tuber yield, while cultivar Kuras was the most stable and the highest starch yielding cultivar. Moreover, using mixed model factorial regression, it is shown that temperatures in June and August and total precipitation in August had significant influence on tuber yield in the analyzed series of field trials.
See full article
Sprout Growth Inhibition and Photomorphogenic Development of Potato Seed Tubers ( Solanum tuberosum L.) Under Different LED Light Colours
30th August, 2019
Abstract

Green-sprouting potato seed tubers in light and elevated temperatures are vital for production in short-season climates. Using light-emitting diodes (LEDs) to inhibit sprout elongation during pre-sprouting may represent an energy-efficient alternative to traditional indoor light sources. Sprout growth inhibition and some photomorphogenic responses were therefore examined in potato cultivars exposed to LEDs of different wavelength maxima and irradiance rates. Red LED (660 nm) produced the strongest inhibition of sprout elongation at very low irradiances 10–100 nmol m−2 s−1, while far-red LED (735 nm) produced the strongest inhibition at higher irradiances. This inhibitory pattern was similar in all cultivars, although the degree of inhibition varied. The colour of sprouts and tuber skin remained etiolated under far-red LED, in contrast to LEDs between 380 and 660 nm which developed green colour intensity in an irradiance-dependent manner. Mixtures of red and far-red light, and pulses including red/far-red reversals did not produce stronger inhibition, except in some instances where total fluence was increased. Furthermore, green-sprouting under different LED colours did not seem to affect subsequent emergence and growth after planting. The current results suggest an involvement of multiple phytochromes in de-etiolation and sprout growth inhibition in seed potato tubers, which may be selectively utilised in LED-based green-sprouting in red and far-red wavelengths.
See full article
Rhizobacteria-Based Technology for Sustainable Cropping of Potato ( Solanum tuberosum L . )
15th August, 2019
Abstract

Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) is one of the most important food crops worldwide but its cultivation is affected by numerous challenges including pests, diseases and high fertiliser requirements which have associated environmental problems. The exploitation of plant rhizospheres and their associated rhizobacterial interactions has gathered momentum worldwide in search of environmentally-friendly approaches to crop cultivation. A lot of literature exists on rhizobacterial associations and their biofertilisation or bioprotection roles in many plants. However, very scanty information is available on rhizobacterial functions and communities of the potato, an indication that they are still understudied. In this regard, more research is needed to understand and exploit them for the successful application of rhizobacteria-based technology in potato cropping. This review updates our knowledge of the beneficial rhizobacteria of the potato and documents their roles in its bioprotection, phytostimulation and biofertilisation while highlighting their potential in enhancing its production and productivity. The future prospects regarding the research on these important potato microflora are further discussed as a guide and a baseline for future research on them. This review shows that rhizobacteria-based technology is a viable option for potato biofertilisation and bioprotection and could be the missing link in its sustainable cropping. The adoption and full exploitation of this technology can be fast-tracked if we increase our understanding of the subject matter.
See full article

Latest Issues

Genetic Diversity of Potato Cultivars for Nitrogen Use Efficiency Under Contrasting Nitrogen Regimes

Abstract

Potential of the Blattisocius mali Mite (Acari: Blattisociidae) as a Biological Control Agent of Potato Tubermoth (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) in Stored Potatoes

Abstract

Stability Analysis of Tuber Yield and Starch Yield in Mid-Late and Late Maturing Starch Cultivars of Potato ( Solanum tuberosum )

Abstract

Sprout Growth Inhibition and Photomorphogenic Development of Potato Seed Tubers ( Solanum tuberosum L.) Under Different LED Light Colours

Abstract

Rhizobacteria-Based Technology for Sustainable Cropping of Potato ( Solanum tuberosum L . )

Abstract

EAPR Sustaining Members