Potato Research

Potato Rows Potato (Solanum tuberosum) is fast becoming a valuable food and cash crop for people living in the highlands and high altitude areas of PNG. There are two main research trusts in NARI, potato late blight management and improving potato production.

Late Blight Management

The late blight disease (Phythorphthora infestans) first appeared on potato plants in the Sirunki area of Enga province in late January 2003. The disease was officially confirmed through laboratory analysis by plant pathologists from NARI and the National Agricultural Quarantine Authority a month later. Within months it quickly spread to all highlands provinces and destroyed every potato crop and affected the infant potato industry in PNG. Subsequent delimiting surveys by the Fresh Produce Development Company confirmed the presence of the disease in all potato growing areas of PNG.

NARI Tambul is currently undertaking a research project on potato late blight management. The main objective of this activity is to develop a cost effective integrated blight management system for the country.

The main research activities are:

  1. Assessing and adapting potato varieties for resistance/tolerance to potato late blight
  2. Developing and adapting cost-effective and safe fungicide spray technology for late blight management
  3. Developing integrated crop management practices for the late blight control
  4. Assessing and adapting potato varieties for better processing quality
  5. Contributing to streamlining PNG‘s seed production programs to incorporate resistant clones
  6. Improving the understanding and skills of extension agents, researchers and agricultural communities

The late blight management project is funded by AusAID and managed by its ACNARS (Australian Contribution to a National Agricultural System) project.

Improving Potato Production

Food security is an issue in the high altitude areas. People depend heavily on one staple crop (sweet potato), which takes 9 –12 months to mature; cash income opportunities are minimal; soil fertility problems are common; and major food crops (sweet potato and potato) are susceptibility to frost. NARI Tambul is looking at a number of research activities that would assist smallholder farmers improve their food productivity, cash income, and well being.

Potato (Solanum tuberosum) is one of the important crops that can enhance the cash income opportunities for people living in the high altitudes and vital food source in the recovery period after frost. Currently the European Union is funding this project to develop and improve potato production for farmers.

Research areas include

  1. Evaluation of alternative processing varieties
  2. Evaluation of different fertiliser application rates
  3. Evaluation of timing of planting (seed material by farmers) to optimise yield


For further information, Contact

NARI High Altitude Highlands Programme
P.O Box 120, MT HAGEN
Western Highlands Province
Papua New Guinea

Phone: (675) 542 3443
Fax: (675) 542 2779
Email: narihahp@nari.org.pg