Skip to content

Potato seed tuber sourcing and cold-storage chain

India's potato seed system is built around ICAR-CPRI Shimla's foundation/breeder seed and a network of state cold stores. Conventional seed production uses 4-year clonal multiplication in disease-low hill zones (Kufri, Kullu, Shimla) and plains (Modipuram, Jalandhar) during October-February; tubers are stored at 2-4 degC and 90-95% RH for 6-8 months until planting.

Key parameters

  • Mandate Institute: ICAR-CPRI Shimla coordinates breeder/foundation seed
  • Cold Storage Conditions: 2-4 degC, 90-95% RH, 6-8 months
  • Innovation: tissue-cultured microtubers, aeroponic minitubers
  • Seed Cost Share: ~40-50% of crop production cost

Implementation and adoption

Newer systems include tissue-cultured microtubers, aeroponic mini-tubers and Truthfully Labelled Seed schemes to lower seed cost, which is otherwise 40-50% of the production budget.

See also: Potato Crop, Kufri Pukhraj, Kufri Variety Series.

References

  1. Advances in innovative seed potato production - Frontiers. https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/agronomy/articles/10.3389/fagro.2022.956667/full
  2. ICAR-CPRI Shimla. https://cpri.icar.gov.in/Content/Index/?qlid=4061&Ls_is=4102&lngid=1