Challenges and opportunities for quality seed potato availability and production in Uganda

Potato yields in Uganda have remained low at 7.5 t ha-1. This low yield is attributed to low yielding varieties, poor management practices and lack of quality seed potatoes among other factors. This study was conducted to ascertain the challenges and opportunities of quality seed potato availability and production in the southwestern highlands agro-ecological zone (SWHAEZ). A total of 15 farmer groups were randomly selected from a sample size of 200 farmers and individually interviewed. The results of study indicated that high transaction costs (43.5%), lack of clear seed delivery system (40.5%) and limited information on the source of seed (14.0%) were the main constraints limiting farmers’ access to and use of quality seed potato. Up to 93% of the farmers in SWHAEZ use home saved seed from previous harvests and conventional ware potato markets, whose quality is not guaranteed. Although over 70% of the farmers were convinced that quality of seed had a positive effect on yield increase, 72% of them still use poor quality seed often infected by bacterial wilt. In addition, 52% of the farmers lacked specific storage facilities for potato seed; and this further lowered the grade of the seed quality. However, a number of opportunities existed for production and access to quality seed including; various proven technologies for producing quality seed potato and ready demand for potato seed and ware potato. Of the seed potato production technologies, positive selected seed (PSS) seemed to have the highest quantity of seed; while basic seed produced heaviest tubers than the rest of the technologies.Keywords: Quality seed potato, seed system and challenge

Determination of hormonal combination for increased multiplication of tissue culture potato plantlets

Use of plant growth hormones either singly or in combination is vital for rapid multiplication of virus-free in-vitro potato (Solanum tuberosum L. ) plantlets for the production of clean seed potato. This study was carried out at Kachwekano Zonal Agricultural Research and Development Institute, Kabale district in south-western Uganda to identify a suitable hormonal combination and optimum concentrations for production of a high number of In-vitro plantlets for three farmer-preferred varieties Kachpot-1, Kinigi, and Victoria. Eight hormonal combinations were formulated and tested using a completely randomized design with three replicates in the tissue culture laboratory. Ten shoot tips from in-vitro raised plantlets were excised and transferred to each of these hormonal combinations. The effect of hormonal combinations was variety dependant. N3 produced the highest mean number of nodes (6.42), buds (4.32) and tallest plantlets (7.38) for Kinigi. N2 produced the highest number of buds in Kachpot 1. N4 produced the tallest plantlets (7.19), highest mean number of buds (5.88) and nodes (7.66) for Victoria. Therefore, N3, N2 and N4 should be used for rapid In-vitro propagation of Kinigi, Kachpot 1 and Victoria respectively.Key words: In-vitro propagation, Solanum tuberosu

Characterization and evaluation of potato genotypes (Solanum tuberosum L) for tolerance to drought in Uganda.

Potato production in Uganda is being affected by rainfall fluctuations in both timing and amount, resulting into inadequate soil moisture availability and low productivity. Also, potato production is expanding into locations at lower altitudes, where drought is more common. Therefore, drought stress mitigation measures and coping mechanisms need to be devised to face future challenges of climate change, particularly in developing countries to ensure steady supply of adequate quantities of quality food. This study thus, aimed at characterizing new potato clones from CIP (International Potato Center) for tolerance to drought under Ugandan conditions

Positive Selection: A simple technique for improving seed potato quality and potato productivity among smallholder farmers.

Peer-reviewe

End-user preferences to enhance prospects for varietal acceptance and adoption in potato breeding in Uganda

Background Potato varieties have diverse biophysical characteristics, so it is important for breeders to have the capacity to choose those that meet the preferences of end users, such as mealiness, firmness, potato taste; among others. Combining user preferences with descriptive information on the sensory characteristics of boiled potatoes can contribute to the improvement of consumer-driven varieties. This study aims to factor in the preferences of end users to improve the prospects for varietal acceptance, adoption, and discrimination of genotypes in potato breeding. Results The priority quality traits of the boiled potatoes were determined by evaluating gender and livelihood using the G+ tool. Potato genotypes were discriminated by penetration and the procedure was repeatable between cooking replicates at 40 min of cooking. Instrument-based texture parameters, such as penetration peak force (hardness/firmness) and area (area under curve representing energy needed to penetrate) of boiled potato tubers, are significantly associated with sensory attributes such as fracturability and hardness in mouth. An attempt to discriminate genotypes using NIRS revealed that the average performances observed of the calibration for yellow color (r2 = 0.70), homogeneity of color (r2 = 0.48), moisture in mass (r2 = 0.40) as well as uniformity of texture (r2 = 0.56), suggested that these models could be used for initial breeding screening purposes. Conclusions The acceptance traits of the boiled potato can be integrated in the potato breeding program/product profile. NIRS shows great potential to predict potato color. The NIRS models are also promising for predicting some texture attributes