Achievements

Research Achievements

Developed and released a more than 65 high yielding varieties possessing combination of important agronomic traits suitable for cultivation under diverse agro climatic conditions. These varieties include table purpose, processing purpose, nutrient-rich, coloured potatoes, abiotic stress tolerent etc.

• Established germplasm collection consisting of more than 4500 accessions of wild and cultivated potato from 30 different countries.
• CPRI as part of potato Genome Sequencing Consortium (PGSC) deciphered the complex genome of potato and detailed information published in high impact journal ‘Nature’.
• Developed and registered 19 improved breeding lines as elite genetic stocks having earliness, resistance to pests and diseases and low cold induced sweetening.
• Transgenic potato developed for tailor made potatoes with durable traits viz. late blight resistance, reduced cold induced sweetening, virus resistance etc.
• A core set of genetically distinct 77 Solanum Tuberosum ssp. andigena accessions representing 740 exotic accessions was developed based on morphological, agronomic, disease and pest descriptors.
• Developed and registered two inter-specific somatic hybrids of potato Solanum tuberosum dihaploid C-13 (+) S. etuberosum, and C-13+ S. pinnatisectum resistant to Potato Virus Y and late blight through protoplast fusion to overcome the sexual barriers imposed by difference in ploidy and endosperm balance number (EBN)
• A unique parental line having extreme resistance gene to PVY (Ryadg) in triplex state was developed and registered with NBPGR. Besides 14 genotype were identified through MAS possessing multiple resistance genes for late blight, PVY and cyst nematodes.
• Identified four heat tolerant clones viz., CP 4054, CP 4184, CP 4197 ad CP 4206 with good agronomic traits. These have been introduced into AICRP for multi-locationp testing.
• Developed recommendations for fertilizer application and other cultural practices of potato for diverse agro- climates of the country.
• Identified profitable potato-based cropping systems and their resource management strategies were developed for different agro- climatic zones of the country.
• Developed agricultural implements, including an oscillating tray type potato grader, fertilizer applicatorcum- line marker, potato culti-ridger, soil crust brakers, granular insecticide applicator, two/four row automatic potato planter, potato digger, implements for stage I &II breeders seed production and aeroponic units.
• A decision support tool “Potato Pest Manager” has been developed which identifies the pest or disease problem and gives the preventive measures and also the recommendations for control tailored to his situation.
• A decision support tool “Computer Aided Advisory System for potato Crop Scheduling” has been developed which gives the estimated yield potential of 10 varieties for 5 dates of planting at different durations corresponding to 60,70,80 and 90 days after of planting for about 1500 locations in India.
• A methodology for advanced potato acreage and production estimation at national level using remote sensing, GIS and crop modeling has been developed in collaboration with Space Applications Centre (ISRO) Ahmedabad. The technology is being used for acreage and production estimation of potato under FASAL programme of Ministry of Agriculture Govt. of India.
• Developed thematic maps of spatial database of potato statistics at district level on area, production, productivity etc., and areas suitable for growing potatoes for processing, areas prone for frosting etc.
• A “Potato E- book” has been developed which gives the information on the package of practices of potato in a simple language and is periodically updated on CPRI website.
• Developed “INFOCROP- Potato” model in collaboration with IARI, New Delhi for developing best management practices under sub-tropical conditions.
• Developed late blight forecasting model (JHULSA CAST) for hills and plains. Based on this model, decision support system has also been developed which has three components i.e. forecasting, need based application of fungicides, and yield loss assessment. Besides, aphid-forecasting model for plains has also been developed.
• Portable dipstick kits have been developed for detection of five major potato viruses, viz. PVY, PVX, PV, PVS and PVM at field level.
• Developed sensitive virus detection techniques like ELISA, ISEM and Nash, which have been of great help in detecting low concentration of viruses or viroids in planting material. Deployment of these methods in seed production was responsible for practically zeroing the virus incidence in basic/nucleus seed.
• PCR based protocols have been developed for detection of potato viruses, viroid, bacterial wilt and late blight pathogens, in seed stocks.
• A biofertilizer-cum-bio-pesticide formulation (Bio-B-5) has been identified and patented for eco-friendly management of soil and tuber- borne diseases as well as for yield enhancement.
• Developed integrated package of practices for management of late blight, bacterial wilt, viruses, soil & tuber borne diseases, tuber moth and cyst nematodes.
• Developed the seed plot technique and established a national disease free seed potato production programme for plains and hills.
• Developed and standardized high-tech seed production system through tissue culture and aeroponics.
• Replaced organomercurials tuber treatment with boric acid (3%), a safe alternative, to check tuber borne diseases particularly black scurf and common scab.
• Conducted aphid surveys that led to the identification of low aphid period for growing seed potatoes.
• Developed bio-intensive management schedule for white grub management.
• Demonstrated the efficiency of chemical control on sprouting during non refrigerated storage condition and standardized several low cost on farm storage technologies.
• Developed several indigenous value added products of potato viz. chips, French fries, flour, flakes, custard and cubes.
• Transferred potato technology through Lab to Land, ORP, TAD, IVLP and other programmes like trainings, demonstrations, kisan mela and potato school on AIR.
• Collected and maintained country and state wise statistics on potato production, area, yields and prices.
• Strengthened the French fries chain by developing Kufri Frysona and its popularization in collaboration with M/s. McCain’s Food India Pvt. Ltd., Gujarat.