Book of Extended summaries ISDA

International Conference on Reimagining Rainfed Agro-ecosystems: Challenges &
Opportunities during 22-24, December 2022 at ICAR-CRIDA, Hyderabad
Organic farming has gained significant attention and is developing as a dynamic ‘Alternate
Farming System’. Key objective of organic production system is quality food production for
humans and animals, while maintaining ecological balance and economic viability. Safety,
protection, and conservation of the environment are the need of hour and organic cultivation
practices ensure this. It is becoming popular in domestic and international markets as
consumers are becoming more serious about food quality, especially chemical residues. This
awareness and demand for quality food have created new market opportunities for farmers with
premium selling prices and potato is no exception to all these trends. To meet the future
challenges of increasing food demand, while simultaneously decreasing its environmental
impact, efforts on increasing the performance of organic production systems, e.g., improving
nutrient use efficiency are necessary. One of the major hurdles in organic potato production is
the choice of variety as this is the major yield limiting factor. As per the National Standards for
Organic Production (NSOP) norms, species and varieties cultivated under organic farming
should be adapted to local soil and climatic conditions and should be resistant to pests and
diseases. Genetic diversity should be taken into consideration while choosing a variety of crops
to be taken in organic cultivation. Therefore, identification and development of varieties would
play a very significant role in this direction. With this background, field experiments were
conducted to screen the advanced clones better than newly released popular varieties for
harnessing the potential of this crop in organic nutrition and have tuber yields comparable to
the conventional inorganic system.
Methodology
Eighty-four advanced clones and varieties were evaluated in sandy loam soils of ICAR-CPRI
RS, Modipuram research farm during 2019-21 in randomized block design having three
replications. Potential genotypes were selected based on their productivity under organic
nutrition and percent yield maintenance while comparing with the conventional inorganic
system. These were evaluated in the field during subsequent crop seasons for their suitability
under organic nutrition. Recommended packages of practices as per NPOP norms were
followed for these genotypes to raise a successful crop. Planting was done in the last week of
October and the haulm cutting date varied due to different maturity periods (80-110 days) of
different genotypes. All observations related to emergence, growth and productivity were
recorded as per the schedule during the crop season. Tuber harvesting and grading were done
manually, and tubers of >20 mm size were considered marketable. Data from two crop seasons
were pooled and analyzed using IRRISTAT statistical software and inferences were drawn
(IRRI, 1999).
Managing genetic resources for enhanced stress tolerance
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