Seed Potato Technology

A manual of basic knowledge on how to produce, multiply and use propagation material in seed potato production and supply systems world wide. Healthy, vigorous seed tubers are essential in potato production. Producing them used to be expensive and difficult. Multiplication rates in the field are low, seed-borne diseases are numerous and seed tubers lose quality during storage between growing seasons. But novel methods have revolutionized the seed potato industry. This has resulted in a diversity of seed production systems adjusted to the local potential and needs. This text summarizes the knowledge and assesses the efficient use of modern technology in different stages of seed production. It describes what seed quality means, how (pre-)basic seed can be produced, how this can be multiplied, and how seed health is maintained. It also describes diverse examples of seed supply systems in different regions of the world. The book is aimed at agronomists, farm advisors, seed producers, breeders, and those involved in seed policies, seed programme development and seed trade. It is also designed for students in agronomy, horticulture and plant breeding.