PJB-2017-730
POTATO PRODUCTION IN PAKISTAN: CHALLENGES AND PROSPECTIVE MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES –A REVIEW
Abdul Majeed
Abstract
Potato is an important agricultural crop widely grown in different agro-climatic conditions of Pakistan and throughout the world. It is one of the four major staples which has significant contribution to national domestic consumption and food needs. Despite of ease in cultivation and less labor requirements, potato productivity in Pakistan is not yet promising as compared to neighbor India and Bangladesh. Low productivity of the crop in Pakistan is due to several biotic, abiotic stresses and relatively limited allocation of land. Different biotic constraints including pathogenic diseases such as late blight, early blight, bacterial wilt, viral infections and nematodal parasites have tremendous impact on potato production. Temperature extremes, nutrient deficit soil, drought, salinity, poor irrigation water, lack of availability of quality seed potatoes are among the abiotic stresses which pose challenges to potato productivity. Moreover, allocation of significantly low area for harvest to potato cultivation than other crops is also among the important underlying issues which results in substantial low yields of potato in Pakistan. The aim of this review is to highlight factors influencing potato production in Pakistan and to suggest prospective measures which can manage challenges associated with yield and production and crop losses of potato in the country.
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