SROPP

Background

The area of organic potatoes covers approximately 1,939 hectares compared to 5,275 hectares of conventional production. Moreover, there is virtually no production of organic potato starch. The challenges include low and unstable yields, primarily due to potato blight, as well as storage diseases on the tubers that compromise the quality, appearance, and quantity and quality of starch in starch potatoes.

Purpose

The overall goal is to increase the area of organic table potatoes from 2,000 to 3,000 hectares and to raise yields from an average of 200 kg/ha to 300 kg/ha. Additionally, the aim is to establish the foundation for a more stable production of organic potato starch with increased content and quality of starch.

Project Step-by-Step

• The project aims to establish scientific evidence for the effectiveness and practical application of new biological agents against field diseases (potato blight) and storage diseases (silver scurf and black dot).
• New biological agents, including those from Christian Hansen, will be tested in the laboratory, greenhouse, and field conditions as part of the project.
• The project will analyze and quantify the effectiveness of these new biological agents when combined with new and more resistant potato varieties.
• The resistance of the varieties to relevant diseases will be tested, and monitoring, characterization, and genotyping of the relevant diseases that threaten yield and quality will be conducted.
• Collaborating with the industry, the project will carry out market analyses and promotional activities.