Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) belongs to family Solanaceae and is one of the most important vegetable cum starch supplying crop having high production per unit area per unit time. Potato, an underground tuber occupies prime position among the cash crops in India. Potatoes are rich source of vitamins, especially C and B and also minerals. Tubers contain 70-80% water, 20.6% carbohydrate, 2.1% protein, 0.3% fat, 1.1% crude fibre and 0.9% ash (Banu et al., 2007). It also contains good amount of essential amino acid like leucine, tryptophane and isolucine (Khurana and Naik, 2003). Among major food crops, potato produces the highest dry matter and edible protein per unit area and time. It can fulfill the requirement of food for human consumption …show more content…
Potato ranks fourth in production after rice, wheat and maize, and its potential as most important staple food is now a well established fact. It produces maximum dry weight per unit land and per unit time (2.2 t/ha). In addition, it produces higher edible energy (216 MJ/ha/day) as compared to rice (151 MJ/ha/day) and wheat (135 MJ/ha/day). Similarly, it produces protein 1.4kg/ha/day, while that of wheat is 1.3kg/ha/day (Horton and Fano, 1985). Potato yields exceptionally high, produces more energy that is edible and protein per unit area and time than many crops. This fits well in multiple-cropping systems prevalent under tropical and subtropical agro-climatic …show more content…
In view of these concerns, the modern Indian agriculture has given birth to new concepts of organic, natural and eco-farming etc. The essential concept and philosophy of such practices is to feed the soil rather than the crops to maintain its health and save environment i.e. giving back to the nature what has been taken from it (Funtilana, 1990).
Therefore, for sustained productivity together with socio-ecological and economic balance, there is a need for adoption of alternate farming system like integrated nutrient management (INM). INM involving combination of organic manure and fertilizers is an essential tool for balanced fertilization and sustainability of crop production on long term basis (Hegde and Dwivedi, 1993). Application of organic manures in conjunction with fertilizers improves physical, chemical and biological properties of the soil besides improving fertilizer use efficiency and crop
Polyculture is associated with, but not exclusively limited to, the movement in organic farming (Pollan 144). The main drawback is the work required to maintain the different species being grown. Each plant requires its own growing conditions, so maintenance becomes labor intensive. However, this method of farming greatly increases the biodiversity of the fields which reduces susceptibility to disease and pests, and creates genetically diverse species. Polyculture is very different from monoculture in more ways than simply growing more than one crop. Monoculture is the attempt to control a crop to maximize yield. Polyculture is the acknowledgement of nature’s control and the attempt to grow successful crops through changing the process of growing plants based on the ecological system around them. The people who grew early potatoes on the Andes grew a wide variety of different potato species so that not all of them were likely to susceptible to the same disease (Pollan 131). Pollan’s discussion of these methods leans heavily toward the idea that even though monoculture is simpler and more profitable, it is an inferior method to polyculture that is mainly still in use to feed the capitalistic machine of the global food
The issue written in this article is regarding the banning and lack of approval for blight-resistant potatoes in the european union. Late potato blight, a potato disease caused by the the eukaryotic microorganism phytophthora infestans, is a significant cause for loss of crop and yield by potato farmers. Looking back to the past, the blight was responsible for the catastrophic Irish Great Famine of the 1840s causing eradication of their main food source, potatoes. As a result of the blight, potatoes become rotten and unsafe for human consumption. Late potato blight today is still a serious issue because it has caused the loss of $5.9 billion dollars of potatoes worldwide annually.By engineering blight resistance into potatoes, scientists have hoped to increase the yield and productivity of potato crops affected by this devastating disease. However, the attempts of the scientists are met with strong resistance by anti-GMO activists and lobbying groups, who are intent on food as naturally pure as possible. In consequence of not using genetically modified potatoes, the farmers are forced to use costly pesticides in an attempt to control the blight. With the human population rapidly increasing, it is essential that all measures be taken to increase food/crop yield in order to prevent starvation and hunger caused by the overpopulation. The battle between agricultural researchers like Simplot and the anti-GMO lobbying group GeneWatch is a controversial one that must be addressed by this generation and future generations.
In the ruins of ancient Peru and Chili, the remains of potatoes dating back to 500 B.C. have been found. Potatoes were such a part of Incan life that they not only ate them, but they worshiped them. "O Creator! Thou who givest life to all things and hast made men that they may live, and multiply. Multiply also the fruits of the earth, the potatoes and other food that thou hast made, that men may not suffer from hunger and misery."- Incan Prayer used to worship potatoes.
...er, by growing organic food, people will also contribute in preserving the environment, including with reducing the global warming effect and also treat animal better as one of our important sources.
Potatoes have become a staple to the diet of humans.They have become so popular since they come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and tastes. They are also cheap and easy to grow, and they taste delicious! Potatoes have changed the course of history in several ways. Who knew that potatoes, just a starchy vegetable, could have helped shape the world in so many ways. First, the Irish Potato Famine killed a million people and caused another million to move out of Ireland. Second, soldiers in the United States army were able to eat potatoes throughout the war. Third, they prevented a famine from occurring in England after there was not a sufficient amount of crops going to sustain the country's cries for food. Many people wonder if potatoes have
Its nutritional richness and stress resistance makes it an important crop choice in Africa and Asia. Sorghum is the second cheapest source of energy and micronutrients (after pearl millet); and a vast majority of the population in Africa and central India depend on sorghum for their dietary energy and micronutrient requirement (Rao et al., 2006). Sorghum stover is the major source of dry fodder for urban and peri-urban dairy production in India (Tesfaye, 1998). In terms of nutrient uptake, sorghum account for about 35% of total intake of calories, protein, Fe and Zn in the dominant production/consumption regions of India (Rao et al., 2006). Biofortification of sorghum by increasing mineral micronutrients (especially iron and zinc) in grains is widespread interest (Pfeiffer and McClafferty 2007; Zhao, 2008).
With the rapid growth of our global population pouring into the next millennium, we will witness an ever-growing hunger rate around the world. That is unless we call for a revolution on the global scale. The Green Revolution which already sprouted in the early part of the century only need to add a bit more momentum and we will see a bright future for the human race, a future without hunger and starvation ¡V hopefully.It is becoming increasingly difficult for the planet to support its overwhelming population. And since the amount of arable land available is becoming scarce, we must seek ways to dramatically improve crop yields of existing cropland.
Domesticated potatoes were once all belong to one botanical species, Solanum tuberosum; it included thousands of varieties that had diversity in size, shape, color and other characteristics. The potato was first domesticated in the South America Andes, then the Puritans who took Mayflower arrived the land and the First Nations taught them about potatoes. Then the sailors went back to Europe and people started to plant potatoes in Spain, England, France, and many other countries in Europe. Later, potatoes were spread into Africa by the colonists. The crop was once believe to be poisonous by the local farmers who refused to plant them. However, the colonists persuaded the farmers and introduced potatoes as a low-price and high-production crop in substitute of wheat and rice.
Potatoes are a very nutritious crop which contain high amounts of proteins and carbohydrates as well as many essential fats vitamins and minerals which are absolutely necessary to maintain life. One example was during the Irish potato famine a lack of potatoes caused a lack of nutrients and therefore caused a mass famine in which close to a million irish starved as two million more fled to other countries. Not only does is the potato packed with nutrients but the dried plant could also be used a tinder for a fire and provide light, and imponderable amounts of heat. The potato also
All humans strive for a healthy and happy lifestyle; what one does not comprehend is, that by regular consumption of potatoes one prevents him or herself from achieveing said ambition. Potatoes are a negative influence on ones body; furthermore, one should significantly decline he or she's intake of potatoes. Due to the fact, that potatoes notably increase one's odds of developing a metabolic syndrome. In the same matter, through consumption of anti-nutrients, potatoes also substancially effect one's internal functions. In final analisys, because potatoes do not only negatively effect one's physical state, but one's mental condition as well.
The potato is a starchy and a crop that stores a lot of nutrients. Nowadays, it’s the fourth most important crop, following rice, wheat, and maize, and sugar cane. People ate the potato much earlier, and we still eat it today. Potatoes had a long history. The origin of the potato was in South America.
For years organic farmers and conventional farmers have feuded over which is superior. Organic farmers argue that their product is more eco-friendly because they do not use the synthetic chemicals and fertilizers conventional farmer’s use. Conventional farmers argue that their product is healthier and yields more. People tend to have stereotypes regarding the two types of farmers. Organic farmers are usually thought of as liberal, hippy, tree-huggers while conventional farmers are usually thought of as right-wing, industrialists. Obviously, some do adhere to this stereotype, but a majority of these farmers are normal, hardworking people. Although these farmers, both believe in their methods, one is no better than the other. There are advantages and disadvantages to both, but there is no true superior method of crop farming.
When we are hungry, no, starving, it grows even in the rockiest and inhospitable soil. It never lets us down, unlike our group members, I mean public transportation system. Potatoes are so simple and effortless to grow, compared to the delicate tomatoes that require artificial supports, just to keep them from falling over, or the grapes in Napa Valley that need classical music to grow. Growing potatoes also don’t require special care or tools. All they need is to be somewhere underground, and where water can reach them.
Agriculture is one of the most ancient forms of art and science that ties human development and well-being to natural resources and ecosystems. (Fritz J. Häni, 2007) Sustainable Agriculture is the production of food, fibre, plant and animal products using farming techniques that protect the environment, public health, human communities and animal welfare. (Sustainable Agriculture - The Basics, 2015) Sustainable agriculture is an integrated system of plant and animal production practices having a site – specific application that over the long term will:
Today agriculture is the livelihood of most poor underdeveloped nations. This communal life blood provides a majority of the population with a source of employment, nourishment and income. It is considered to be an invaluable skill, that is taught down from generation to generation along with a sense of respect for the environment. However as a nation begins to undergo development, so do their food production systems. The country's newfound development causes significant restructuring of their agricultural production practices. This restructuring leads to poor environmental practices, and adverse agriculture methods. Increased economic development/production negatively affects a country's environmental and agricultural health.