Developing Potato Technology in the Republic of Karelia 2007–2009 (Interreg, Tacis)
Funded by Euregio Karelia Neighbourhood Programme 2001-2006

Objective of the project

The goal of the project was to seek solutions for the potato disease problems in the Republic of Karelia. For Finnish potato industry actors, cooperation would enable business growth opportunities and the ability to expand the knowledge of potato production in the border region and of the parasites and diseases that occur there. In addition, it would enable closer cooperation with plant inspection authorities and advisory organisations.

Main activities

• Conducting a study on the diseases occurring in plants and crops in potato farms in the Republic of Karelia • Testing of two Finnish and two Russian potato varieties to study their resistance to diseases and production characteristics under local conditions • Delivering plant and tuber samples to Finland for analysis, making comparisons of the results • Purification of two of the Russian seed potato varieties using the micropropagation method • Creation of farming and fertilisation plans, adjusting the amounts of used organic fertilisers, promoting advisory services, comparing of the differences between organic and synthetic fertilisers.

Achievements

The project studied the diseases occurring in plants and crops in potato farms in the Republic of Karelia. Two Finnish and two Russian potato varieties were field-tested to study their resistance to diseases and production characteristics under local conditions. Observations were made on-site and plant and tuber samples were obtained for transport to Finland for analysis. The data from the analyses was gathered into a registry and comparisons were made using the results. The project engaged in cooperation with officials, therefore, the level of cooperation was found to increase significantly as a result of the project. The project was also to create instructions on managing horticultural plant diseases. However, there was not enough time for this task, so it was moved into the Tacis section. Using the micropropagation method, the purification process of two of the Russian seed potato varieties was started. The varieties were brought to Finland for the purification process. In practice, the micropropagation method means to first grow starts from the tubers, then the growth centre is removed from the apex after heat treatment. The extracted growth centre is placed in a test tube to grow. The test tube plants are inspected using multi-phased testing to ensure that they are free of diseases: only the specimens that are completely healthy and true to their variety are accepted as stock plants for production. The reproduction of healthy test tube plants takes place in a completely sterile laboratory environment. (www.spk.fi) The third main goal of the project was to create farming and fertilisation plans, adjust the amounts of used organic fertilisers, and promote advisory services to optimise fertilisation use in farming. A fertilisation plan was created in the project using Visu software. In addition, the differences between organic and synthetic fertilisers were studied, which generated preliminary results. Additional results are still needed in order to create the instructions. Therefore, the experiments are to be further replicated. Advisory services were already provided at one subject farm. The Visu model is being promoted in the Tacis section through training intended for university personnel. The other planned procedures and the actions already initiated are to be completed during the Tacis section of the project.