MOALF/SHEP PLUS

Japan International Cooperation Agency Agriculture and Food Authority Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries
Horticultural Crops Directorate State Department for Crop Development & Agricultural Research

Smallholder Horticulture Empowerment & Promotion Project

for Local and Up-Scaling (SHEP PLUS)
“Changing Farmers’ Mindset from “Grow and Sell” to ”Grow to Sell””

POTATO PRODUCTION

Prepared by SHEP PLUS

Photos: SHEP PLUS
MOALF/SHEP PLUS
Training Title: Potato Production
Preface
Objective: To provide a guideline on production of Potato
Specific Objective: • This training material applies the fundamental practices essential
• To provide basic information on production, post-harvest for crop production and successful marketing to put into
handling, and marketing of Potato perspective the case of horticultural crop production.
Contents:
• The fundamental practices are categorized into seven (7) broad
1. Introduction: Background, Common Varieties and Optimal topics and twenty (20) sub-topics; the twenty sub-topics are
Ecological Requirements referred to as the General Horticulture Crop Production and Post-
2. Pre-Cultivation Preparation 1 – 5 Harvest Handling Techniques (GHCP&PHHT20). This
categorization is based on the Smallholder Horticulture
3. Cultural Practices 1- 8 Empowerment & Promotion Unit Project (SHEP UP) experience
4. Harvest in mitigating production and marketing challenges facing
5. Post-Harvest Handling smallholder horticultural farmers.
6. Cost & Income Analysis • The seven (7) broad topics are: Pre-Cultivation Preparation; Land
7. Post-Training Evaluation Exercise Preparation; Crop Establishment (Planting/Transplanting); Crop
Contacts: Management; Harvest; Post-Harvest Handling: and Cost and
Income Analysis.
• Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock & Fisheries (MOALF):
Kilimo House, Cathedral Road, P.O. Box 34188-00100, Nairobi, • The sub-topics under each topic are as follows: Pre-Cultivation
KENYA, Tel: 020-2718870 Preparation (market survey, crop planting calendar(s), soil
sampling & analysis, composting, and quality seed/planting
• Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA), Horticultural Crops material(s)); Land Preparation (land preparation practices,
Directorate (HCD): incorporation of crop residues, and basal application); Crop
Airport Road, Opp. JKIA, P.O. Box 42601-00100, Nairobi, KENYA, Establishment (raising seedlings, planting/transplanting,
Tel: 020-2131560/3597356 fertilizer application); Crop Management (water requirement,
managing of weeds, top-dressing, pests & diseases management
• Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Kenya Office: practices, and safe & effective use of pesticides); Harvest
BRITAM Tower, 22nd & 23rd, Hospital Road, (harvesting indices); Post-Harvest Handling (appropriate
P.O. Box 50572-00200, Nairobi, KENYA, Tel: 020-2775000 containers/standard packaging materials, and value addition
techniques); and Cost and Income Analysis (cost and income
• Smallholder Horticulture Empowerment and Promotion Project analysis).
for Local and Up-Scaling (SHEP PLUS):
N.H.I.F. Building, 4th Floor, Ngong Road/Haile Selassie Avenue, • The issues outlined in the twenty (20) sub-topics might not
Upper Hill necessarily be applicable in all cases. But where applicable, it is
recommended that the instructions issued be given due
P.O. Box 19024-00100, Nairobi, KENYA consideration.
Tel: 0712-504095 /0737-293867, E-mail: [email protected]
Disclaimer
Irish Potato Production, First published by SHEP in 2009, revised by SHEP PLUS in 2019 (Ver.6)
Editors: James Arim, Stephen Kioko, Collins Otieno, Calistus Efukho, Grace Mbuthia, Florence Mangoli, Zablon Oirere, Elizabeth Mbuthia, Fransisca Malenge, Jiro Aikawa, Kiyoshi Kita,
Harue Kitajima, Yasuhiro Takashina, Taku Seo
Contributors: Grays Kiplagat, Thomas Mumu, Sarah Ndegwa, Antonina Luta, Peter Orangi, Florence Wambua, Raymond Chelule, Murage Henry, Omari Victor, Jacob Keror, Musah
Samuel, Carolyne Mwenze
All rights reserved. This publication may be reproduced without permission for non-commercial use. However, the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries (MOALF), Agriculture and
Food Authority (Horticultural Crops Directorate (HCD)) of the Republic of Kenya and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) should be acknowledged.
This publication was prepared under the Smallholder Horticulture Empowerment and Promotion Project for Local and Up-Scaling (SHEP PLUS) on behalf of Ministry of Agriculture,
Livestock and Fisheries (MOALF), and Agriculture and Food Authority (Horticultural Crops Directorate (HCD)) of the Republic of Kenya and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
The cited agrochemicals are in accordance with “Pest Control Product Registered for Use in Kenya 11 th Edition, 2018”. The registered agrochemicals are subject to change. Please refer to
the latest registered agrochemicals by Pest Control Product Board.
MOALF/SHEP PLUS

1. Introduction:
1.1 Background
1-1

Photo: SHEP PLUS

Potato (Viazi)
1/31
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1. Introduction:
1.1 Background
1. Introduction:
1.1 Background
1-1 • Herbaceous perennial cultivated as an
annual crop
• The crop is grown for its tuber- an
underground stem
• Rich in starch (8 – 28 %) but low in
protein (1 – 4 %)
• It is also rich in Vitamin C
• 2nd most important food crop after maize;
Photo: SHEP PLUS
and a valuable cash crop to many
smallholders
• Can be utilized boiled, baked, mashed or
Potato (Viazi) fried into chips or crisps among other uses

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1.2 Common Varieties

1-2 1-3

Photo: © A.A. Seif (CC BY-NC-SA 3.0) http://www.infonet-biovision.org/PlantHealth/Crops/Potato-Seed-Production

“Tigoni” “Asante”
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1.2 Common Varieties

1.2 Some Common Varieties
Released varieties (1998 by KARI-Tigoni):
1-2
“Tigoni”:
• Tall variety with upright stem
• Produces white flowers and tubers are long oval
with white smooth skin
• Has poor tuber storage and short tuber dormancy
• Optimal production altitude: 1,800 – 2,600 m
• Maturity Period: 3 – 4 month
“Tigoni” • Tolerant to Late Blight
• Has high dry matter content
• Yield: 14,000 – 18,000kg per acre
• Use: chips, mashing, boiling, baking, roasting

1-3 “Asante”
• Stems are upright to semi-upright of medium
height
• Tubers are round and have pink smooth skin
• Tuber dormancy is short
• Optimal production altitude: 1,800 – 2,600 m
• Maturity Period: 3 – 4 month
• Has high dry matter content
• Fairly tolerant to Late Blight
“Asante” • Yield: 14,000 – 18,000kg per acre
• Use: chips, mashing, roasting, baking
Photo: © A.A. Seif (CC BY-NC-SA 3.0) http://www.infonet-
biovision.org/PlantHealth/Crops/Potato-Seed-Production
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1.2 Common Varieties Cont’

1-4

Photo: © International Potato Centre Sub Saharan Africa (CC BY-NC-SA 2.0)

Shangi
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1-4
1.2 Common Varieties Cont’
1.2 Some Common Varieties Cont’
Other Indeterminate varieties grown in Kenya:
“Shangi”
-Highly prolific, versatile use
-About 1m high, upright growth Shangi
-Broad leaves, light in colour Photo: © International Potato Centre Sub Saharan Africa (CC BY-NC-SA 2.0)
-Abundant flowers, “Sherekea”:
-Oval tubers, uniform in grading, white flesh -Medium sized plant which produces abundant light purple flowers
-Medium to deep eye with pink pigmentation -Tubers are oblong/round and have red skin
-Very short dormancy -High number of tubers per plant
-Matures in 3-4 months -Good storability
-Yield 30,000-40,000kg per acre -Long tuber dormancy
-Moderately susceptible to late blight -Optimal production altitude: 1,800 – 3,000 m
-Good for mashing, boiling, Roasting,chips -Maturity Period: 3.5 – 4 month
-Altitude range 1500-2800m asl -Yield: 16,000 – 20,000kg per acre
Released varieties (2010 by KARI-Tigoni): -High resistant to Late Blight and viruses (PVY and PLRV)
“Kenya Mpya”: -Use: boiling, roasting, mashing, chips, crisps
•Tall plant (about 1 m) with good ground cover
“Purple Gold”:
•Flowers are white -Medium sized plant with purples flowers
•Tubers have Cream white skin color with pink -Tubers are round and have dark purple skin with white flesh eyes
shallow eyes -Has long tuber dormancy
•Optimal production altitude: 1,400 – 3,000 m -Has excellent crisping quality
•Resistant to Late Blight -It is predominantly grown in Narok but can be grown in other
•Early tuberization: large size, oval/round areas
tubers -Moderate resistance to late blight, PLRV but susceptible to
PVY
•Good storability -Tolerant to most soil borne diseases
•Short dormancy -It is resistant to greening and has good storability
•Maturity Period: 3 – 3.5 month -Yields 10,000 – 14,000kg per acre
•Yield: 14,000 – 18,000kg per acre -Uses: mashing, boiling, roasting and chips
•Use: boiling, roasting, mashing, chips 3/31
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1.2 Common Varieties Cont’

1-4

Photo: © A.A. Seif (CC BY-NC-SA 3.0) http://www.infonet-biovision.org/PlantHealth/Crops/Potato-Seed-Production

Other Varieties
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1.2 Common Varieties Cont’

1.2 Some Common Varieties Cont’
Other varieties grown in Kenya:
“Kerr’s Pink” (also known as “Mew Pink”)
-Tall plant with white flowers
1-4 -Tubers have oval shape with red skin
-Tolerant to drought but susceptible to late blight
-Maturity:2-3 months
-Yields: 10,000-12,000kg per acre
“Dutch Robijn”
-Medium plant height with upright stem which produces
white flowers
-Tubers are round and red skin in colour with good storage
and long dormancy
-Yield: 14,000-16,000kg per acre
“Nyayo”, “Roslin Tana”
Varieties released in 2002 with yield potential of 14,000 –
18,000kg per acre include Kenya Sifa, Kenya Karibu,
Kenya Faulu and Kenya Mavuno
Photo: © A.A. Seif (CC BY-NC-SA 3.0)
http://www.infonet-biovision.org/PlantHealth/Crops/Potato-Seed-Production Other varieties include: Ambition, Annet, Arizona, Arnova,
Caruso, Desire, Destiny, Mayan Gold, Saviola, Toluca
Note:
• Maturity period is dependent on the cultivar and
climatic conditions
• The national average yield is 3,100kg per acre
• With use of disease free-seed and good
management, yield potential can rise to 8,000kg per
acre

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1.3 Optimal Ecological

Requirements
Altitude 1,500 – 2,800 meters
above sea level
Rainfall 850 – 1,200 mm of rainfall
Growing 15 – 20 0C
Temperature
Soils • Well drained medium
loams
•pH range 5.5 – 7.5
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1.3 Optimal Ecological Requirements

Altitude 1,500 – 2,800 meter above sea level
Rainfall 850 – 1,200 mm of rainfall
Growing 15 – 20 0C
Temperature
Soils • Well drained medium loams
• pH range 5.5 – 7.5

1.3 Optimal Ecological Requirements

• Altitude: Potatoes are cultivated between 1,500 – 2,800 m.a.s.l.
• Rainfall: Well distributed rainfall of between 850 – 1,200 mm is required during the growing
period
• Temperature: Potatoes perform well in cool climatic conditions and the optimum temperature
range is 15 – 20oC. The temperature for tuberization is 15oC.
• Soil: Free draining fertile medium loams are preferred since heavy clays restrict tuber growth.
The optimal soil pH range is 5.5 – 7.5

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1.4 Growth Stage

1-5
Flower Inflorescence

Fruit
Leaflets

Compound leaf
Main stems

Lateral stem

Mother tuber Stolons

Tubers
Roots

Source: http://cipotato.org/potato/how-potato-grows/
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1.4 Growth Stage

1.4 Growth Stage
Growth Stage 1:
•
1-5 Sprout development: Sprout develop from the eyes using energy
from the seed tuber (pinch off the first sprout to remove apical
dominance)
Growth Stage 2:
• Vegetative growth: Development of leaves, branches and stolons
(Right time for earthing- up)
• Growth stage 1 and 2 takes roughly 4 – 10 weeks depending on
environmental conditions, physiological age of the tubers & kind of
variety
Growth Stage 3:
• Tuber set (initiation): Tubers begin to form at the stolon tips but
with little enlargement
• Flowering starts at the end of this stage and takes 2 weeks
Growth Stage 4:
• Tuber bulking: Tuber enlargement caused by accumulation of water,
nutrients & carbohydrates
• Critical stage for yield & quality
• This stage is the longest and can last up to 3 months
Growth Stage 5:
• Maturation: Vines turn yellow & tuber growth slows down
• Decline in photosynthesis
• Dry matter content is at maximum
• Dehulm to harden the skin at this stage (very important to ensure
good quality produce)
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2. G20 technologies
1. Market survey 7. Incorporating crop
2. Crop planting residues
calendar 8. Basal application of
3. Soil testing compost/ manure
4. Composting 9. Recommended
5. Use of quality practices of seedling
planting materials preparation/
seedlings from
6. Recommended land registered nursery
preparation practices

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2. G20 technologies

[G20 Technologies]
Make sure to support farmers
carry out G20 techniques for
any crop

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2. G20 technologies
10.Recommended 16.Safe and effective
spacing use of pesticides
11.Recommended 17.Use of harvesting
fertilizer application indices
rate 18.Appropriate post
12.Supplementing harvest handling
water containers
13.Timely weeding 19.Value addition
14.Top-dressing techniques
15.IPM practices 20.Keeping farm
records 8/31
MOALF/SHEP PLUS

2. G20 technologies

[G20 Technologies]
Make sure to support farmers
carry out G20 techniques for
any crop

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MOALF/SHEP PLUS

2.1 Crop Planting Calendar

A Sample of a Potato Planting Calendar
Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr

Bed Weeding Weed, Harvesting

Preparation:
Plough land
done after pests starts 105 –
thoroughly & germination & diseases 130 days after
make furrows
Fertilizer (DSP):
control planting
Ridge or (depending
200 kg/acre
earth up the
on variety)
Planting: rows as the
800-1,000kg potato Peak demand
of seed
grows Sorting &
tubers
/acre
grading for Potato
Spacing: 75 x 30 Yields 3,000 –
cm
Depth: 10cm 16,000kg per
acre
Sprouts
should face
upwards Marketing

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MOALF/SHEP PLUS

2.1 Crop Planting Calendar

2.1 Crop Planting Calendar
(GHCP&PHHT20: Q2)
• A tool used by farmers to
plan for production to ensure
that marketing coincides with
the period of the year when
the market price of a produce
is highest
Procedure:
1. Determine from the market
survey results (2.1) when
there is peak demand for
Potato
2. Work backwards from the
month when there is peak
demand to prepare a
monthly farm activities
preceding the peak period
3. Use the monthly activities
preceding the peak as a
procurement plan for farm
inputs and a guide for farm
operations
A Sample of a Potato Planting Calendar: Note:
• To meet the peak demand
Targeting a peak market demand beginning period of the market, there
may be need of
just after February supplemental irrigation

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MOALF/SHEP PLUS

2.2 Quality Seed/Planting

Materials
2-4

Photo: By ZooFari - Own work, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=8870305

A sprouting seed potato

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2.2 Quality Seed/Planting Materials

2.2 Quality Seed/Planting Material (GHCP&PHHT20: Q5)
• Use disease-free or certified seed
• Certified seed potatoes have 3 grades:
– Size I: Small sized seed potatoes (25 – 35 mm
diameter)
2-4 – Size II: Medium sized seed potatoes (35 – 45 mm
diameter, egg sized tubers). This is the preferred size
since it produces a good balance of big sized & small
sized seed tubers
• Number of sprouts should be at least 4
• Seed tubers are kept in diffuse light to allow
development of short strong sprouts: this is to ensure a
uniform stand
• Production of basic seed is undertaken by KARI Tigoni
• Bulking of basic seed is done by various organizations
A sprouting seed potato such as ADC Farm in Molo, Kisima Farm in Meru and
selected individual farmers

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3.1 Basal Application

3-3

Manure

Photo: SHEP PLUS

Manure incorporation as a basal application

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3.1 Basal Application

3-3
3.1 Basal Application (GHCP&PHHT20: Q8)
• Potatoes respond well to high soil fertility
and manure or compost is needed if the land
has been continuously cropped
• However, to prevent excessive production of
Manure vegetative part at the expense of tubers, it is
recommended to add compost or manure on
the crop preceding the potato
• Well-decomposed animal manure or
compost is recommended
Photo: SHEP PLUS

Manure incorporation as a
basal application

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3.2 Planting
3-4 3-5

Photos: SHEP PLUS

Planting seed tubers

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3.2 Planting
3.2 Planting
3-4 3.2.1 Appropriate Time:
• Planting is done at the onset of the rains (long & short)
since most production in the country is rain fed and is done
twice a year
• Seeding rate: 800 – 1,000 kg/acre

3.2.2 Recommended Spacing (GHCP&PHHT20: Q10):

• 20-30cm (intra row) and 60-90cm (inter row)
• Planting depth is 10 cm and the sprouts should be placed
Photos: SHEP PLUS
facing upwards & the seed covered by a layer of soil
3-5
Photo: SHEP PLUS
3.2.3 Fertilizer Application Rates (GHCP&PHHT20: Q11):
• DAP at 200 kg per acre (about 1 kg of DAP for 25 m of
furrow)
• On acidic soils, DSP/ TSP 80kg per acre & CAN 120kg
per acre should be used, depending on the result of soil
analysis

Note:
• Use of excess nitrogen should be avoided as it encourages
vegetative growth at the expense of tuber formation

Planting seed tubers

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3.3 Water Requirement

3-5

Photo: SHEP PLUS

Vigorous potato crop

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3.3 Water Requirement

3.5 Water Requirement (GHCP&PHHT20:

3-5 Q12)
• Potatoes require 850 – 1,200 mm rainfall
during the growing period
• Low and fluctuating moisture contribute to
scab, hollow heart, low dry matter & low
tuber set
• Production in Kenya is mainly rain fed and
is timed to coincide with the 2 rainy
seasons (long & short rains)
• Some farmers use furrow irrigation while
others use sprinkler irrigation in their Potato
crop
Photo: SHEP PLUS

Vigorous potato crop

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MOALF/SHEP PLUS

3.4 Crop Management:

3.4.1 Ridging/Earthing-up
3-7

Photo: SHEP PLUS

Potato crop that has been earthed up

/ridged properly 14/31
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3.4 Crop Management

3.4.1 Ridging/Earthing-up

3-7 3.7 Crop Management

3.7.1 Ridging/Earthing-up
• Ridge or earth-up the rows as the potatoes
grow(1st at when crop grows15-20cm tall
with weeding, then every after 2weeks for
3times), with the final ridging done before
plant starts to bloom
• Do Not earth-up when the soil is wet to
avoid compaction
• A well built hill helps to control weeds,
prevents greening of tubers, reduces
attack by the potato tuber moth

Potato crop that has been

earthed up / ridged properly

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MOALF/SHEP PLUS

3.5.1 Major Pests

A B C

Photo: Merle Shepard, Gerald R.Carner, and P.A.C Ooi, Photo: © Magnus Gammegaad (CC BY-NC-SA 3.0) Photo: Bonsak Hammeraas, NIBIO - The Norwegian
Insects and their Natural Enemies Associated with Vegetables http://www.infonet- Institute of Bioeconomy Research, Bugwood.org
and Soybean in Southeast Asia, Bugwood.org biovision.org/PlantHealth/Crops/Potato Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-
Noncommercial 3.0 License

D E F G

By CSIRO, CC BY 3.0, Photo: © Whitney Cranshaw, Colorado State Photo: © A.M. Varela, icipe Source: © A.M. Valera, icipe (CC BY-NC-SA
https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=3 University, Bugwood.org (CC BY 3.0 US) 3.0) http://www.infonet-
5432982
biovision.org/PlantHealth/Pests/Cutworms#

15/31
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3.5.1 Major Pests

3.5.1 Major Pests

• Pests damage causes a
reduction in quality and
quantity of produce
• The following are the
major pests of Potato in
Kenya:
A. Potato Tuber Moth
B. Aphids
C. Root-knot
Nematode
D. Spider Mites
E. Millipedes
F. Mealy Bugs
G. Cutworms

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3.5.1.A: Potato Tuber Moth

3-8 3-9

Photo: By Caroline Harding, MAF - This image is found here at PaDIL, a Photo: Merle Shepard, Gerald R.Carner, and P.A.C Ooi, Insects and
source of images designed for Biosecurity and Biodiversity.This tag does their Natural Enemies Associated with Vegetables and Soybean in
not indicate the copyright status of the attached work. A normal copyright Southeast Asia, Bugwood.org
tag is still required. See Commons:Licensing for more information.PaDIL,
CC BY 3.0 au,
https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=16228830

Potato tuber moth

Adult Moth larva and pupa
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3.5.1.A: Potato Tuber Moth

3.5.1.A: Potato Tuber Moth
3-8 Identification:
• The moth is small, brownish grey in color with narrow fringed wings
• The moths are active mainly at dusk
• The female lays eggs singly or in batches on leaves, stems & near eye
buds on exposed tubers in the field or in the store
• The caterpillars are up to 12 mm long, whitish to pale greenish in color

Damages:
• Caterpillars burrow in the tubers making long irregular tunnels filled with
excreta exposing tubers to secondary bacterial and fungal infection
• These tunnels make the potatoes unfit for human consumption
• The pest is transferred with the harvested tubers to the potato store,
Adult Potato Moth where it can reproduce and infest other tubers

Control:
3-9 • Use healthy & clean seed, since infested seed tubers are the main cause
of re-infestation in the field
• Plant as deeply as possible (10cm deep) and ridge at least 3 times during
the growing season
• Ensure compact hilling: very important to prevent moths reaching the
tubers to lay eggs
• Store all harvested tubers before dusk to avoid moths laying eggs on them
• Don’t leave harvested tubers in the field overnight during dry season
• Spray using appropriate insecticides Dimethoate (AGROTHOATE 40 EC®)
Potato tuber moth
larva and pupa
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3.5.1.B: Aphids
3-10

Photo: © Magnus Gammegaad (CC BY-NC-SA 3.0) http://www.infonet-biovision.org/PlantHealth/Crops/Potato

Aphid on the leaf of a Potato Plant

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3.5.1.B: Aphids
3.5.1.B: Aphids
Identification:
• Many aphid species attack the potato including the green peach
aphid, potato aphid & cotton aphid
• Aphids are mainly found on young shoots and on the underside
3-10 of leaves
Damages:
• Feeding by aphids causes irregular curling of young potato
leaflets and hinders growth of the leaflets
• Direct damage caused by aphids sucking sap from the plant is
usually of little importance
• Most damage is caused by honeydew production on foliage
and virus transmission
• Aphids are important pests as vectors of potato viruses, such
as the Potato Leaf Roll Virus, a serious disease affecting
potatoes
Control:
Aphid on the leaf of • Use appropriate pesticides e.g. Thiamethoxam (ACTARA®)
a Potato Plant incorporate a sticker/spreader e.g. Zipper® or Agral 90®,
Imidacloprid 200g/L(NUPRID 200SC)
• Control aphids in potato planted for seed production
• Keep seed production areas separated from commercial
potato production

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3.5.1.C: Potato Cyst Nematode

3-11a 3-11b

Photo: Bonsak Hammeraas, NIBIO - The Norwegian Institute of

Photo: Christopher Hogger, Swiss Federal Research Station for Bioeconomy Research, Bugwood.org
Agroecology and Agriculture, Bugwood.org Licensed under a Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial
Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial 3.0 License 3.0 License

Right: Potato cyst nematode damage on potato tuber

Left: Symptoms
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3.5.1.C: Potato Cyst Nematode

3.5.1.C: Potato Cyst Nematode
3-11a Identification:
• Potato Cyst Nematodes (PCN) or potato root
nematodes (Globodera rostochiensis and are 1-mm long
roundworms belonging to the genus Globodera.
• They live on the roots of plants of the Solanaceae family,
such as potatoes and tomatoes
Symptoms:
• PCN cause growth retardation and, at very high
Photo: Christopher Hogger, Swiss Federal Research Station for Agroecology
and Agriculture, Bugwood.org Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution- population densities, damage to the roots and early
Noncommercial 3.0 License senescence of plants.
• Reflect those of plants with an inefficient roots system i.e.
3-11b poor growth, wilting during periods of water stress,
early senescence, reduced tuber size and reduced
tuber yield up to levels in excess of 80%.
Control:
• Plant certified seed purchased from recognized, certified-
seed producers.
• Avoid sharing equipment with other growers. The most
Photo: Bonsak Hammeraas, NIBIO - The Norwegian Institute of Bioeconomy
common way of spreading PCN is in soil or on
Research, Bugwood.org equipment.
Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial 3.0 License
• Thoroughly clean all equipment.
• Practice crop rotation.
3-11a: Potato cyst nematode • Regularly examine your crops for patches of poor or
yellow potato plants.
damage on potato tuber
3-11b: Symptoms
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3.5.1.D: Spider Mites

3-12

Photo: By CSIRO, CC BY 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=35432982

Two spotted spider mites & eggs on leaf

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3.5.1.D: Spider Mites

3.5.1.D: Spider Mites
Identification:
• To the naked eye, spider mites look like tiny moving dots but can be seen
using a hand lens
• They live in colonies, mostly on the under-surface of the leaves and spin a
silk-like web
• Adults have 8 legs and an oval body with two eye spots on the head end of the
3-12 •
body
Immatures are similar to adults except that newly hatched larvae have 6 legs
• Eggs are spherical & translucent becoming cream colored before hatching
• The pest is destructive during dry weather
Damages:
• Mites cause damage by sucking cell content from leaves
• At first, the damage shows up as light dots on the leaves which at times take
a bronze colour
• As the feeding continues, the leaves turn yellow and drop off
• Often, leaves and stems are covered by a large amount of webbing
• Damage is usually worse when compounded by water stress
Two spotted spider Control:
• Grow healthy crops; avoid water and nutrient stress. Apply mulch and
mites & eggs on leaf incorporate organic matter into the soil to improve the water holding capacity
and reduce evaporation.
• Keep perennial hedges such as pigeon peas, they are said to encourage
predatory mites, which predate on spider mites.
• Uproot and burn infested plants. This can be successful during the early
stages of infestation when the mites concentrate on a few plants.
• Keep the field free of weeds.
• Spray Sulphur 80% w/w (KUMULUS DF®)
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3.5.1.E: Millipedes
3-13

Photo: © A.M. Varela, icipe (CC BY-NC-SA 3.0) https://www.infonet-biovision.org/PlantHealth/Crops/Potato

Potato tubers damaged by millipedes

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3.5.1.E: Millipedes
3.5.1.F: Millipedes
Damages:
3-13 • They tunnel into potato tubers
Control:
• Clear hiding places
• Remove volunteer plants, crop residues,
decaying vegetation, dead leaves, grass,
compost piles, excess mulch or other
similar debris.
Photo: © A.M. Varela, icipe (CC BY-NC-SA 3.0)
• Avoid planting wet areas
https://www.infonet-biovision.org/PlantHealth/Crops/Potato

Potato tubers
damaged
by millipedes

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3.5.1.F: Mealy Bugs

3-13

Photo: © Whitney Cranshaw, Colorado State University, Bugwood.org (CC BY 3.0 US)

Mealybugs on a potato plant

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3.5.1.F: Mealy Bugs

3.5.1.G: Mealy Bugs
Damages:
3-13 • Mealybugs suck sap from plant phloem,
reducing plant vigor
• They excrete sticky honeydew and wax,
which reduces plant and fruit quality,
especially when black sooty mold grows on
the honeydew.
Control:
• Pruning and destroying affected parts.
• Removing and destroying heavily infested
plants.
• Ensuring soil fertility. In most cases healthy
Photo: © Whitney Cranshaw, Colorado State University, Bugwood.org (CC BY 3.0 US)
plants are able to withstand some
mealybug attack
Mealybugs on a potato plant

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3.5.1.G: Cutworms
3-14

Photo: © A.M. Valera, icipe (CC BY-NC-SA 3.0) http://www.infonet-biovision.org/PlantHealth/Pests/Cutworms#

A Cutworm larva
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3.5.1.G: Cutworms
3.5.1.E: Cutworms
Identification:
• The larvae of cutworms stay buried in the soil and cut
stems during the night
• The pest is destructive during dry weather

3-14 Damages:
• Cutworms feed on tubers and roots, boring a wide
shallow hole
• They are also serious pests of newly sprouted potato
plants, and can leave great empty patches in a potato
field
Control:
• Ploughing and hand picking
• Prepare field and destroy vegetation and weeds 10 –
14 days before planting
A Cutworm larva • Ploughing exposes caterpillars to predators and
desiccation by the sun
• Flooding of the field for a few days before planting
can help kill cutworm caterpillars in the soil
• Use appropriate insecticide e.g. Thiamethoxam
(Actara®): used to drench when damage by cutworm is
evident

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3.5.2 Major Diseases

a b c

Photo: Photo: © Musah S.M., Nakuru County, 2019 Photo: Howard F. Schwartz, Colorado State University,
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File%3ALate_blight_on_pot Bugwood.org (CC BY 3.0 US)
ato_3.jpg
By Howard F. Schwartz, Colorado State University, United
States [CC BY 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0)],
via Wikimedia Commons

d e f

Photo: Gerald Holmes, California Polytechnic State University at

Photo: Eugene E. Nelson, Bugwood.org (CC BY 3.0 US) Photo: © Carol Mwenze, Nyeri County,
San Luis Obispo, Bugwood.org (CC BY 3.0 US)
2019

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3.5.2 Major Diseases

3.8.4 Major Diseases

• Disease infestation leads to
reduction in quality and quantity
of produce
• The following are the major
diseases of Potato in Kenya:
a. Late Blight
b. Bacterial Wilt
c. Early Blight
d. Bacterial Soft Rot
e. Potato Leaf Roll Virus
(PLRV)
f. Common Scab

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3.5.2.a: Late Blight

3-14

Photo: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File%3ALate_blight_on_potato_3.jpg
By Howard F. Schwartz, Colorado State University, United States [CC BY 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

Leaves and stem of potato plant infected

by Late Blight
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3.5.2.a: Late Blight

3.5.2.a: Late Blight
• This is a fungal disease which is favored by cool, cloudy
wet conditions
• It is one of the most destructive disease of potato
Symptoms:
3-14 • Water soaked spots on leaves which enlarge and turn
brown
• Below the leaf, the fungus produces white mouldy growth
seen clearly at the edge of the spot
• The affected leaves wither, yet frequently remain attached to
the stem
Control:
• Resistant varieties, such as “Tigoni”, “Kenya Baraka”,
“Roslin Eburu”, “Annet” & “Asante” are claimed to have
some resistance
• Practice Crop Rotation with non-solanaceaous crops
• Practice good field hygiene by rouging
Leaves and stem of • Select only certified, disease-free seed potatoes
• Spray with appropriate fungicides both protective &
potato plant infected by curative, such as
– Antracol WP70® (a.i. Propineb)
Late Blight – Dithane M45® (a.i. mancozeb)
– Nando 500SC® (a.i. Fluazinam) Ridomil Gold
MZ68® (a.i. metalaxyl + mancozeb)
– Milraz WP76® (a.i. Propineb 70 % + Cymoxanil 6 %)
– Victory 72WP® (a.i. metalaxyl + mancozeb)

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3.5.2.b: Bacterial Wilt

3-15

Photo: Plant Protection Service , Plant Protection Service, Bugwood.org (CC BY 3.0 US)

Potato leaves wilting due to

Bacterial Wilt infection 25/31
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3.5.2.b: Bacterial Wilt

3.5.2.b: Bacterial Wilt

3-15 • The disease is caused by a bacteria known as

Pseudomonas solanacearum
• It is soil borne and the most serious disease which can
destroy an entire field
• The bacteria survives in the soil for a long time and enters
into the host plant through wounds on the roots and the
base of stems
• The disease is spread by infected tubers, crop residues,
contaminated surface water, contaminated soils, and tools
Symptoms:
• Affected plants wilt even when there is adequate
moisture in the soil
• Wilting is rapid and wipe out the entire fields in few days
• Slimy continuous white discharge emanate from the eyes
of the affected tubers
Control:
• Use of certified seed
• Practice Crop Rotation (5 – 7 years) roguing volunteer
potato plants during rotation
• Destruction of infected plant debris by burning
• Avoid contaminating the field with soil from an affected
field
Potato leaves wilting • Avoid cutting of seeds as a way of multiplying seeds when
having insufficient seed potato
due to Bacterial Wilt • Spot treatment with 10 % of Sodium hypochlorite
(bleach)
infection
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3.5.2.c: Early Blight

3-16

Photo: Howard F. Schwartz, Colorado State University, Bugwood.org (CC BY 3.0 US)

Early Blight on Potato Leaf

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3.5.2.c: Early Blight

3.5.2.c: Early Blight
• This is caused by a fungus: Altenaria solani
• The fungus persist in debris of affected plants for
several years
• Early Blight thrives best under warm wet conditions
3-16 Symptoms:
• First, oval or angular dark brown to black “target”
spots appear on leaflets
• Usually, a narrow chlorotic zone is around the spot
which fades into the normal green
• Lowest, oldest leaves are infected first, and they droop
and dry as the disease progresses and eventually fall off
Control:
• Use certified seeds
• Good field sanitation by rouging
• When using own seeds, carry out hot water treatment
• Practice Crop Rotation
• Destroy all infected crop residue
Early Blight on Potato • Spray with appropriate fungicides, such as
Antracol WP70® (a.i. Propineb)
Leaf Dithane M45® (a.i. mancozeb)
Nando® (a.i. Fluazinam)
Ridomil Gold® (a.i. metalaxyl + mancozeb)
Milraz WP76® (a.i. Propineb 70 % + Cymoxanil
6 %)
Victory 72WP® (a.i. metalaxyl + mancozeb)

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3.5.2.d: Bacterial Soft Rot

3-17

Photo: Gerald Holmes, California Polytechnic State University at San Luis Obispo, Bugwood.org (CC BY 3.0 US)

Potato tubers infected by Bacterial

Soft Rot
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3.5.2.d: Bacterial Soft Rot

3.5.2.d: Bacterial Soft Rot
• The disease is caused by the bacteria: Erwinia spp.
• It enters the plant through wounds on leaves or stems near
the soil surface and young tubers
•
3-17 The disease development is favoured by high temperatures
and humidity
• The bacteria is spread by rain splash
3-17 • In poorly drained fields, tubers decay
• The infected tubers and soils acts as a source of inoculum in
subsequent years
Symptoms:
• Stems and leaves develop lesions which are water soaked,
dark green and eventually develops to a soft rot with a foul
odour
• On tubers, reddish brown spots form at the lenticels
• The inner parts of the tubers shows a soft rot and a creamy
exudate is seen and may decay during transportation or
Potato tubers storage in poorly ventilated, high temperature and humidity
infected by Bacterial Control:
Soft Rot • Practice crop rotation with crops such as cereals
• Use of healthy seed tubers
• Improved field drainage
• Store and transport tubers in dry, well ventilated conditions
• Field hygiene
• Crop rotation
• Sorting before storage

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3.5.2.e: Potato Leaf Roll Virus

(PLRV)
3-18

Photo: Eugene E. Nelson, Bugwood.org (CC BY 3.0 US)

PLRV-infected plant next to an uninfected

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3.5.2.e: Potato Leaf Roll Virus (PLRV)

3.5.2.e: Potato Leaf Roll Virus (PLRV)
• This is an important potato disease which occurs
in all potato growing areas
• It is transmitted by aphids.
• The virus is also spread through infected tubers
3-18 and diseased volunteer plants
Symptoms:
• In plants infected through aphid transmission, the
apical leaves roll upwards and occasionally
become pinkish in colour
• In plants infected through use of infected seed
tubers, the lower leaves roll upwards (after
sprouting) and becomes spoon-like
• Severely affected leaves develop a tubular shape
• Plants are stunted and plants develop small
tubers
PLRV-infected plant next to • If these tubers are used as seeds, plants are
stunted and crop produces very low yields
an uninfected potato plant Control:
• Use of chemicals to control aphids which can
transmit the virus to potato plants, such as
- Nuprid 200 SC (a.i. Imidacloprid)
- Karate 2.5WG (a.i. Lambda Cyhalothrin)
• Use of virus-free seed tubers

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3.5.2.f: Common Scab

3-19

Photo: © Carol Mwenze, Nyeri County, 2019

Common scab on a tuber

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3.5.2.f: Common Scab

3.5.2.f: Common Scab
• Affects the potato skin with pimple-like lesions.
3-18 • It may not quantitatively affect yield but the quality
of tubers which makes them less attractive in the
market and their storability.
Symptoms:
• Lesions are a superficial cork-like layer (russet
scab)
• They may be erumpent or cushion-like (raised
scab)
• The lesions may extend deep into the tubers
(pittedscab)
• Lesions may be circular or irregular in shape -
Affected potato skin tissue may be tan or brown
Control:
Photo: © Carol Mwenze, Nyeri County, 2019
• Avoid planting scab-infected seed tubers
• Increase the rotation period (2 years or more) for
Common scab on a tuber potato planting
• High moisture levels at tuber formation and
bulking reduces scab incidence
• Do not reduce the acidity of the soil too much by
liming as scab is reduced in acidic soils.

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4. Harvest
4-1

Photo: SHEP PLUS

Farmers harvesting and bagging Potatoes

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4. Harvest
4. Harvest
4.1 Harvesting Indices (GHCP&PHHT20: Q17)
• Maturity Period: Range between 3 – 4 months after
planting depending on the variety
• Tubers harvested while still immature tend to have low dry
matter content and to suffer more skin damage, resulting
4-1 •
in easier infection by fungal and bacterial pathogens
However, seed potatoes are often harvested early, to
avoid virus infection that may occur during the latter part of
the growing season
Important Notes:
• Tubers should be completely covered with soil to reduce
greening and entry of potato tuber moth
• Cutting vegetative material 2 weeks before harvesting
hardens the skin of tubers (dehaulming).
• Hardening of skin tuber reduces damage of tubers during
harvesting & post-harvest handling
• Dug potato tubers should be stored clean, dry with mature
skins free from wounds, insect pests and diseases
Farmers harvesting and Yields: Average yield in Kenya: 3.2 tons/acre (Yields potential:
bagging Potatoes 16 tons/acre)
• Proper husbandry and use of clean planting material can
increase yields to 6 – 8 tons/acre
• Depending on variety and degree of maturity at
harvesting, potatoes can be kept for 1 – 2 months before
sprouting at room temperature
• Mature Potato can be dehaulmed and left in soil for 1– 2
months
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5. Post-Harvest Handling
5-1

Photo: Brochure/G.O.K. STRATEGY ON POTATO DEVELOPMENT INDUSTRY

Sorting potatoes
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5. Post-Harvest Handling
5. Post-Harvest Handling
5.1 Containers & Packaging Materials (GHCP&PHHT20: Q18)
• Potatoes are supposed to be sold in the standard 50kg units in the
markets
5.2 Value Addition Techniques: Cleaning, Sorting, Grading, &
Processing (GHCP&PHHT20: Q19)
Sorting:
5-1 • Diseased and cut tubers are sorted out to avoid losses in storage
due to rotting
Grading:
• Potatoes are graded depending on size and shape of tuber
• Malformed tubers are removed
• Tubers of are graded into:
– Ware: beyond 60 mm gauge
– Seed: 28 – 60 mm gauge
– Chatts: Less than 28 mm gauge
(SEED POTATO PRODUCTION AND CERTIFICATION
Sorting potatoes GUIDELINES, KEPHIS 2016)
Storage:
• Ware Potatoes
- Ware tubers should be kept in a dark store to prevent greening
- The store should be cool and well ventilated
• Seed Potatoes
- Seed potatoes are kept in a cool store with diffuse light for
coloured, short sprouts to develop, however, avoid direct
sunlight
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