Belarusian Potato Research Center Adopts Aeroponic Systems, Boosting Mini-Tuber Production 2.5-Fold to 1.2 Million Annually

The Research Center for Potato Growing of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus has transitioned to aeroponic systems for the production of mini-tubers, achieving a 2.5-fold acceleration in propagation rates and reaching an annual output of 1.2 million micro-tubers. Aeroponics, a soilless cultivation method in which plant roots are suspended in air and periodically misted with a nutrient solution, eliminates contact with soil and thereby reduces the risk of disease transmission — a critical advantage in seed potato production, where pathogen-free planting material is essential. The system enables year-round cultivation cycles and tighter control over temperature, humidity, and nutrient delivery, resulting in faster tuber formation and higher multiplication coefficients compared to conventional greenhouse or field-based methods .

The shift to aeroponics represents a strategic investment in Belarus’s seed potato independence. By dramatically increasing the volume of healthy mini-tubers, the center can supply a larger share of the country’s demand for elite and first-generation seed material, reducing reliance on imported seed potatoes from Western Europe. This is particularly significant given the broader geopolitical context, in which access to foreign seed varieties and planting material has become less predictable. The technology also supports the center’s breeding programs by shortening the time required to multiply promising new varieties — such as those with high starch content for processing or resistance to heat and drought — from the laboratory stage to commercial-scale seed production. Combined with other advances in the center’s portfolio, including the development of specialized varieties for French fry production and starch extraction, the aeroponic system positions Belarus to strengthen its domestic seed base and reduce vulnerability to external supply disruptions.