True Potato Seed (TPS) crop has several advantages over the conventional tuber potato crop.

1
Introduction

• True Potato Seed (TPS) crop has several
  advantages over the conventional tuber potato
  crop.
• True potato seed production for potato
  cultivation is new technology and needs to be
  popularized.
• TPS nursery requires resources like land, true
  seeds, irrigation, plant protection measures,
  etc.

2
Resources for TPS Nursery Management

• 1. Land Requirements
• Well drained, porous, deep soil with pH of 5.2
  6.4.
• Nursery area should be free from high
  infestation of aphid, nematode, brown rot, wart
  infested areas.
• Preference should be given to a 2-3 year crop
  rotation.
• 2. Time of Sowing
• Sowing of TPS should be done from end of
  September up to middle of October. Delayed sowing
  results in poor yields.

3
Resources for TPS Nursery Management

• 3. Seed Beds
• Seedbed prepared through 2-3 times deep
  ploughing followed by harrowing of land.
• Preferably good quality vermi-compost or well
  decomposed FYM should be incorporated in bed
  soil.
• Beds raised to a height of 15 cm from ground
  level. Beds are provided with shade after sowing.

4
Resources for TPS Nursery Management

• 4. Irrigation
• TPS nursery requires frequent light irrigations
  using fine rose can.
• Irrigation should be provided depending on soil
  conditions, growth stage and weather condition.
• 5. Seed Material
• Obtain foundation seed from reliable sources.
• Seed Rate 100 grams/ha. Seeds are mixed with
  fine sand.
• Seed should be planted in rows of 10 cm apart at
  0.5 cm depth.

5
Resources for TPS Nursery Management

• 6. Intercultural Operations
• Regular weeding of seedbeds is necessary to
  maintain proper growth of seedlings.
• 7. Manures and Fertilizers
• 250 kg Vermi-compost or 400 kg FYM should be
  incorporated in seed bed soil for each 100 sq. m.
  area.
• Foliar spray of 0.01 Urea solution from 15th
  day after sowing.
• Urea spray should be given till the seedlings
  are 25 to 28 days old with 3 to 4 leaves and
  ready for transplanting.

6
Resources for TPS Nursery Management

• 8. Plant Protection Measures
• Apply 50 kg Heptachlor 6, Aldrin 5 or Chlordane
  5 per ha to control termites.
• Spray 40 gm Carbaryl or 5 ml Phosphamidon or 17
  ml Dimethoate or 10 ml Methyl Parathion and 28 gm
  Zineb or Duter or Maneb in 10 liters water, three
  weeks after planting for control of various pest
  and diseases. Repeat the same spray mentioned
  above at weekly interval.