engleski

Potato Production in Croatia: Situation and challenges

Potato is the third food crops of importance for human consumption in the world is grown in over 100 countries, and the leading country in the production of potatoes is China with 23.3% of total world production (FAOSTAT, 2012). Croatia currently produces around 200, 000 tons per year to around 20, 000 hectares, which is significantly lower production of 736, 000 tons produced in 2002 to around 64, 000 ha. The production of potatoes takes place in all Croatian regions, mostly under rainfed conditions. In region with intensive agricultural practice, producers achieved average yield of 25-30 t/ha yearly. But in most of regions prevails extensive farming with low average yields of 8-10 t/ha. Usually, in unfavorable weather conditions all producers have already up to 30% lower yields with lower quality, mainly due drought stress. Potato development, yield and quality depend on both climatic factors and cultural management especially nitrogen and water. Improvement in nutrient and water management practices need to mitigate some negative impacts of weather and consequently to increase yield and quality of potato. Soil testing as a basis for fertilizer applications, plant analysis to determine nutritional status, foliar feeding, fertigation, and specialized fertilizer application methods are necessary to achieve these goals. The temperature rise, more frequent drought and lack of water are an additional threat to loss of yield in all regions of growing potatoes. Therefore it is necessary to adjust farming technology and use varieties adapted or tolerant to abiotic stresses in order to avoid negative effects on the growth and yield of potato crop. These changes should bring better agronomic practices to obtain sustainable potato production in Croatia and to achieve average yield of 40-45 t/ha yearly as was in European countries.

potato production; yield; quality; nutrition; drought stress; climate change

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