Review on aeroponics based potato seed production for food security and sustainable agriculture
Potato (Solanum tuberosum L), a vital food crop in the Solanaceae family,has its origins in Peru’s Inca regions. The traditional method of utilizing the harvest from the previous season as seed tubers frequently results in the accumulation of seed borne diseases, which causes
seed degeneration and large production losses. Aeroponics, in particular, is noted for its
advantages in growing plants in a misted nutrient medium, free from soil or aggregate media.
This technique, when combined with tissue culture's meristem culture, ensures the production
of pathogen-free seed tubers by eliminating viral pathogens from the plantlets before
aeroponic propagation. The integration of these methods can overcome the limitations of
conventional techniques, offering year-round production and enhanced control over
environmental conditions. The use of aeroponics, supplemented by tissue culture, provides a
robust solution to the challenges faced in traditional potato seed production. It facilitates the
rapid multiplication of healthy, high-quality seed tubers, crucial for maintaining genetic
diversity and improving crop yields. This approach is particularly beneficial for developing
countries, where resource constraints often limit the effectiveness of conventional methods.
There is need to compile aeroponics overview to understand the significance and limitations
of the potato seed production through aeroponics for global food security. This review
underscores the importance of adopting aeroponics and tissue culture to enhance potato seed
propagation and ensure sustainable agricultural practices.