Background:
The present invention relates to soilless media for preparing healthy potato seeds. The potato seeds as prepared through using the soilless media are free from quarantined pests, nematodes and soil borne diseases and thus gives higher yield. Potato is the most important, economical, and highly consumable food crop of the world. The consumable part of the potato is the tubers which grow below the soil. As the soil profile varies, the quarantined pests and the microorganism profile also vary. Thus, potato tubers largely suffer from various quarantined pests and soil borne diseases as per local soil profile. Presently, the soil in various parts of India particularly in plateau, hills and plains except Indo-Gangetic plains are infected with such pests and diseases and are not suitable for potato seed production:
Technology Details:
The present invention discloses a soilless media for potato seed production. The soilless media comprises major portion of Rice Husk Ash (RHA) and minor portion of cocopeat on dry weight percent basis. The soilless media have a pH value 7.5-8.2 and porosity is 24-32 percent. The soilless media have adequate water holding capacity (MWHC) which required for the growth of potato. In this process, the soilless media prepared by using a treated cocopeat by washing a raw cocopeat with water followed by air drying the washed cocopeat for 3 to 4 times. The treated cocopeat is free from tannins, salts, and alkaloids. The soilless media is free from quarantined pests, nematodes and soil borne diseases.