G0 Potato Seed Production Management in Indonesia: An Overview and The Challenges

Abstract

The availability of Indonesian potato seed and production of potato for consumption depends on the availability and quality of Generation 0 (G0) potato seed. This study aims to observe G0 potato seed production management in Indonesia. Data were collected through Focus Group Discussion (FGD) and survey. Thirty-seven G0 potato seed producers participated in the survey. Data were analyzed descriptively, while the feasibility of the farm budget of G0 potato production was calculated using the enterprise budget method. The results showed that the producers had challenges on capital to broaden the screen house to extend the production scale and limited plantlet availability. Meanwhile, they did not have any problems with other production aspects, such as controlling pests and diseases and the marketing of the G0 seed. Government supports to provide screen houses to fulfil producers' necessity and delegate the legality of potato plantlets are needed to create a better Indonesia's potato seed system.

Various Modified Treatments on Improving G0 Seed Multiplication in Potato

“…Conventional propagation of G0 potato seeds from plantlets in Indonesia produces 3-5 tubers [1,2]. Thus, it takes a lot of cuttings to meet the needs of the national potato seed which has implications for the current inefficient national seed production [3][4][5]. Whereas on the other side, the G0 production business requires quite an expensive investment, a long business cycle, and special skills and expertise [4,6].…”

“…Thus, it takes a lot of cuttings to meet the needs of the national potato seed which has implications for the current inefficient national seed production [3][4][5]. Whereas on the other side, the G0 production business requires quite an expensive investment, a long business cycle, and special skills and expertise [4,6]. This is one of the reasons for the low availability of certified potato seeds at the farmer level [4,6,7], resulting in a high gap in research results and average potato productivity of 25 vs 15.9 tons per hectare [8].…”

“…Many tubers is needed for the production of G0 potato seeds because potato seeds are sold in units of quantity [6,9]. However, small-size G0 seeds are in great demand by farmers because they can save on transportation costs and are cheaper [4]. Thus, various treatment modification efforts were made to increase the number of tubers so that the G0 seeding business was efficient and profitable.…”

The Determination of Nitrogen Concentration in the G2 Potato Seed Production on Fertigation System

“…Seed support is crucial to developing and increasing potato production in Indonesia. Preferably, farmers should use quality seeds with labels, but it often cannot be fulfilled due to the price that is higher than average seeds [4]. [3] stated that the availability of quality and affordable potato seeds is significant and beneficial for farmers to produce long-term sustainable potatoes [4].…”