Production of Potato Quality Seeds in Mountainous Region of Central Africa

Abstract

Potato production in the mountainous region of Central Africa (CA) remains very low (10–15 T/ha), while the commonly cultivated varieties have a genetic potential to reach more than 40 T/ha. This low productivity is due, among other reasons, to a low quality of propagation material (seed tubers). Certified potato seed tubers are not only expensive but also not sufficient on the market to cover the needs of potato producers, leading them to use year-to-year seeds potatoes already infected by diseases and totally degenerated. Due to constraints of getting appropriate facilities for good Potato seeds production among producers, various cutting methods to obtain quality potato seeds have been developed. Indeed, in several experiments carried out in Rwanda and in other countries, the use of good healthy propagation material has increased yields by more than 35%. Since this mountainous zone of Central Africa is very suitable for the cultivation of potatoes for its climatic conditions, the methods developed in this chapter for producing quality potato seeds and appropriate agricultural practices (crop rotation, good fertilization, disease control and pests) will make it possible to significantly increase yields, and thus allow the varieties grown in Central Africa to express their genetic potential of more than 40 T/ha.