Potatoes are a staple crop, cultivated in over 150 countries worldwide, providing essential nutrients such as high-quality protein (up to 4.6% per tuber) and vital amino acids. Just 600 grams of potatoes can meet a person’s daily vitamin requirements. However, despite the existence of around 5,000 potato varieties globally, only a few hundred are widely cultivated. Many new varieties quickly lose their desirable traits due to viral infections, making sustainable seed production a major challenge.
Traditionally, preserving potato genetics requires in vitro culture—a costly and labor-intensive process involving sterile labs, specialized equipment, and skilled personnel. This method drives up costs, making certified seed potatoes unaffordable for small-scale farmers, who produce 11.4 out of 18 million tons of Russia’s total potato output.
The Breakthrough: Simpler, Faster, and Cheaper
Scientists at the St. Petersburg Federal Research Center of RAS have introduced a novel “ex vivo” technique that bypasses expensive lab steps. The method involves:
- Darkness and Controlled Humidity – Tubers are kept in darkness for 24 hours at 90-95% humidity and alternating temperatures (12-15°C to 21-25°C).
- Natural Sprouting – Under these conditions, tubers develop etiolated sprouts with root primordia.
- Direct Planting – The sprouts are detached and planted directly into soil, eliminating the need for sterile conditions or nutrient media.
This approach drastically reduces costs and time while maintaining yield efficiency. As Nikolay Semchuk, a senior researcher involved in the project, explains:
“Our method removes the need for sterilization, expensive reagents, and lab equipment. Farmers can produce high-quality seed potatoes at home or on small plots.”
Impact on Potato Farming
With Russia’s certified mini-tuber production meeting less than 10% of demand, this innovation could help bridge the gap, ensuring food security and affordability for smallholders. The technique has already been patented (No. 2810554) and could revolutionize potato farming in resource-limited settings.
This groundbreaking “ex vivo” propagation method offers a practical, low-cost alternative to traditional in vitro techniques, empowering small-scale farmers to grow disease-free, high-yielding potatoes without expensive infrastructure. As global agriculture seeks sustainable solutions, such innovations could play a crucial role in ensuring stable potato production.
