US: Researchers using aeroponics in bid to produce disease-free potato plants
Michael Bodnarcuk spokesman for AusVeg, the peak body for Australia’s 2000 potato growers, has told the Mercury that aeroponic technology was initially developed in Peru as a speedy and cost-effective method of producing quality seed potatoes.
“Seed potatoes are a potato which is planted before commercial cropping for human consumption. From this seed a plant bearing potatoes will grow. It is extremely important that seed potatoes are as free of plant diseases as possible before they are propagated,” Mr Bodnarcuk said.
“The technology may be a lofty concept to grasp, but the implementation and construction of aeroponic growing operations are actually rather simple. All that’s required is a large, dark wooden box to simulate the effect of soil, and a mist dispersing pump to provide plants with their required nutrients.”
Initially, the potato plant is grown in aeroponic growth chambers over two years.
“Once the seed potato has developed, it is screened for disease before being planted and propagated in soil. After a further two years, the seed potato can be sold to commercial growers with the assurance that it is free from most harmful pests and diseases,” Mr Bodnarcuk said.
The Cornell University project in New York State is responding to golden nematode disease which has been wreaking havoc on the region’s potato crops for decades.
Source: heraldsun.com.au
