Seed potato growers in the Indian state of Punjab must follow fixed dates this season. Planting must finish by 15 October. The haulms, or foliage, must be cut by 31 December. The rule applies to the whole state. The specialist site IndianPotato.com published the standard operating procedure on 24 September. The site said it had received the document on that day.

Five senior officials signed the document. They are the state directors of agriculture and of horticulture, the director of the state seed certification authority, and two officials of Punjab Agricultural University (PAU): the director of research and the head of vegetable science.

The purpose is to protect seed tubers from viruses. Aphids carry these viruses from plant to plant and into the tubers. The document names four viruses: potato leafroll virus, PVY, PVX and PVA. Early haulm cutting limits the time in which the viruses can reach the new tubers.

The rule puts quality before quantity. According to the document, “maintenance of seed health and quality shall take precedence over achieving higher tuber yield.” A crop planted by 15 October and cut by 31 December has about 77 days of growth.

Extensions are possible, but only under strict conditions. A state committee can recommend a later date for haulm cutting, based on weather data. The committee must decide by 25 December. Its members are the director of research of PAU, the head of vegetable science of PAU and the nodal officer for potato of the state horticulture department.

The original order has not been published on an official website. The document has no printed date.

Why it matters

Clean seed is the base of a healthy potato crop. A firm deadline for the whole state makes the rules the same for all seed growers in Punjab. Growers who plant late may lose some yield, but the state has chosen seed health over tonnage. Farmers who buy seed from Punjab may see fewer virus problems in the next crop. Our report on Punjab growers selling below cost ahead of planting was published on 24 September.

Prevention & control · Editorial note

Potato viruses (PLRV, PVY, PVX, PVA): what growers can do

  • Prevention: plant certified, virus-tested seed; keep planting and haulm-cutting dates; remove infected plants early; control volunteers and weeds.
  • Monitoring: use aphid traps and regular field checks; test seed lots for viruses.
  • Chemical protection in India: no effective chemical control of the viruses; prevention only. For leafroll virus, aphid control with imidacloprid (IRAC 4A) or lambda-cyhalothrin (IRAC 3A) — check the national register of India.
  • Resistance management: alternate IRAC groups; do not follow a 4A seed treatment with 4A sprays.

This note is provided by the potatoes.news editorial team for information only. It is not a recommendation of any company and is not mandatory. Use only plant protection products authorised in your country and follow the label. Product names and registrations differ between countries; consult a local agronomist.

Photo: A potato field in India (illustrative). Trikutdas / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0