B.K. Dhital
Lumle Agricultural Research Centre, P.O. Box No. 1 Pokhara, Nepal.
S.J. Wilcockson
University of Newcastle, Department of Agriculture, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1
7RU, UK.

DOI

ABSTRACT

Diffused light storage (DLS) of seed potato, a traditional practice of storing seed potatoes in small areas of some countries has become a popular seed potato storage method in a number of developing countries after 1980. Reported benefits of DLS are production of a large number of short and robust sprouts per tuber, less storage losses, early and uniform emergence and higher tuber yield than comparable seed potatoes stored in dark. Research on, and promotion of DLS technology started from as the late 1970s. In the 1980s, the International Potato Centre (CIP) took the leading role in research and extension of DLS technology, which was introduced to more than 21 developing countries. The Philippines, Srilanka, Peru, Colombia, Guatemala, Thailand and Vietnam have adopted DLS but in other countries, including Nepal, adoption of this technology was not very encouraging. In Nepal, experiments on DLS made by the National Potato Development Programme (NPDP) commenced in 1977. It was further studied and promoted by Lumle Agricultural Research Centre and other institutes. The technology was tasted and demonstrated in many parts of the country representing the major agro-ecological zones. Available information revealed the feasibility of DLS in the mid hills (1000-2000m asl) and large variations among the genotypes for their storability and subsequent field performance. However, detailed studies were lacking to develop specific technologies by utilizing genotype and environment interactions. Adoption of the technology was very low despite the considerable efforts made for its promotion. This paper reviews the research and developmental work on DLS in Nepal and discusses the future research needs.