Under the framework of the FoodSec Semence Regional Project (2021-2025), funded by the European Union under the 11th European Development Fund (EDF), a training programme on Apical Cutting Production was held from 4th to 6th May 2022 at FAREI, Réduit. The training was organised by the Centre de Coopération Internationale en Recherche Agronomique (CIRAD) and was hosted by FAREI.
Twenty-two participants comprising staff from FAREI, students from the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Mauritius, and representatives from the Sugar Estates attended the training course.
Our resource person was Dr. Nyawade Shadrack Otieno who holds a Master’s and a Ph.D. in Soil Science from the University of Kenya. He is a Research Associate at International Potato Center (CIP), Kenya since 2015 and is well versed in training farmers and seed producers on seed potato production.
In vitro potato plantlets var. Vigora
Hardening of in vitro potato plantlets
The objective of the training was to empower scientific, technical staff, and stakeholders involved in potato seed production through the “technique of rooted apical cuttings” for minituber production. Effectively, this technique is an alternative to potato seed production which is already being implemented in several African countries.
The main topics covered during the training sessions were
1. Acclimatization of tissue culture plantlets
2. Technique of production of rooted apical cuttings
3. Maintenance of juvenility of mother plants
4. Use of alternative substrate for minitubers production.
A demonstration was carried at field level concerning the production of minitubers.
