THE PERFORMANCE OF INTRODUCED POTATO CULTIVARS IN THE SEYCHELLES

Yields of up to 30 tonnes per hectare have been obtained in some lowland tropical areas in 90 days. In the Seychelles the first trials which were conducted by the Ministry of Agriculture met with limited success, because the cultivars grown lacked heat tolerance and resistance to bacterial wilt.

Cultivars were needed which were adapted to the hot humid conditions of the Seychelles and resistant to bacterial wilt. Beginning in 1981, over 100 genotypes were introduced from the International Potato Center and planted at four locations in Mahe and compared with several commercial cultivars. Considerable variation was observed in the performance and disease resistance of the introduced clones. Six selections were made, based on yield, earliness and disease resistance. The best lines tested produced up to 25 tonnes per hectare in small experimental plots.

Three selections showed no symptoms of bacterial wilt, even when grown during the hot northwest monsoon adjacent to susceptible lines which were completely killed by the disease. Three other clones which exhibited some symptoms of bacterial wilt still had sufficient tolerance to the disease to produce a successful crop.

The results of trials conducted over a two year period indicate that potatoes can be successfully grown in the Seychelles. The Ministry of National Development now plans to encourage the production of successful cultivars by both small farmers and the larger producers on the islands.