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) andproblems 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 grower’s 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 N:P:K=16:16:16 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/index.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.