MATERIALS AND METHODS

1
Challenges in potato production
in the
Russian Republic of Karelia Hiltunen L1,
Virtanen E1, Hänninen N2, Tihonov E3, Kuznecova
N3 Moskulenko L3 1MTT Agrifood Research
Finland, Tutkimusasemantie 15, FI-92400 Ruukki,
Finland 2NorTech Oulu, PO Box 7700, FI-90014
University of Oulu, Finland 3University of
Petrozavodsk (Agronomy Department), 33 Lenin
Street, 185910 Petrozavodsk, Republic of Karelia,
Russia
INTRODUCTION Russian Federation is the second
biggest potato producing country in the world
(FAO 2008). Potato is not only used as staple
food in human consump-tion, but also as fodder
for cattle in milk and beef production. In the
Russian Republic of Karelia po-tato yields are
low, although the area has favour-able climatic
conditions for potato production (Koslov Kotova
2005). The low yields are due to a complex of
factors such as the availability and quality of
the seed material (Anisimov 2007) and problems
with pests and diseases (FAO 2008). A three-year
(2007-2009) collaborative project fun-ded by EU
(Intereg/Tacis) was set up to identify the most
important problems in potato production in the
Russian Republic of Karelia and to increase the
potato yields and improve the crop quality.
Petrozavodsk
Figure 1. Total yield ( SE) for cvs. Aurora,
Ladoški, Saturna and Fambo on synthetic and
organic fertilizer.
MATERIALS AND METHODS In the first year of the
project, a field experiment was set up in a
growers field in Verhovje near Petrozavodsk in
the Republic of Karelia to find out which
diseases are causing the greatest yield losses.
Two cultivars (Aurora and Ladoški) produced in
Russia and two cultivars (Saturna and Fambo)
produced in Finland were compared. The
experimental area was fertilized with a synthetic
(mineral fertilizer NPK161616 at 300 kg/ha
and potassium fertilizer KO 50 at 278 kg/ha) or
an organic fertilizer (a mixture of peat and
composted cow manure at 37 t/ha). The development
of the crop and disease symptoms was monitored
during the growing season. At harvest the progeny
tubers were assessed visually for disease
symptoms, and analysed for the presence of
quarantine pathogens, black leg and soft rot
bacteria and potato viruses. RESULTS AND
DISCUSSION Total yield for cv. Fambo was about 30
t/ha and for the other cultivars 15-20 t/ha (Fig.
1). No quarantine pests or pathogens were
detected in the seed potatoes or the progeny
tubers. The main disease problems were caused by
Rhizoctonia stem canker and black scurf, and
viruses. High incidence and severity of
Rhizoctonia stem canker and black scurf was
observed in all cultivars (Table 1), although
only the seed potatoes of Russian cultivars were
infested by black scurf. This indicates that
infested soil was also a source of an infection.
Viral symptoms were observed during the growing
season especially on the foliage of cvs Aurora
and Ladoški. Progeny tubers of all cultivars were
infected by different viruses (Table 2).
Rhizoctonia stem canker and black scurf and
viral diseases can be managed using disease free
seed material together with improved cultivation
methods. In 2008-2009, different control
strategies for these diseases will be tested.
Furthermore, the effect of the organic fertilizer
on the growth and yield of potato will be
investigated and an assistance is given in the
maintenance of healthy seed material and
production of basic seed. REFERENCES Anisimov
B.V., Uskov A.I., Varitsev Y.A. Yurlova S.M.
2007. Seed potato in Russia pro-duction, market
and quality system development. In Haverkort A.
J. Anisimov B.V. (eds) Potato production and
innovative technologies. pp. 149-159. Proceedings
Potato Russia International Conference, Moscow
August 21-22, 2007. Wakening, the Netherlands
Wakening Academic Publishers, 422 FAO 2008.
Available http//www.potato2008.org/en/world/inde
x.html Koslov V.I. Kotova Z.P. 2005. Potato
seed growing in the Republic of Karelia.
Kartofel-i- Ovoshchi. 2005 (7)27-28.
Table 1. The incidence and severity of
Rhizoctonia stem canker and black scurf on cvs.
Aurora, Ladoški, Saturna and Fambo. Means
followed by the same letter within each column do
not differ significantly (p 0.05)
Table 2. Infection of progeny tubers with potato
viruses detected by ELISA.