What Are Virus-Free Seed Potatoes? Read This to Know Whether They Are Edible
Potatoes are a fairly common vegetable and often appear on people's dining tables. They are inexpensive, economical and nutritious. But in recent years, potatoes have suffered from virus damage during cultivation, and potato yields have declined. After trying potato “virus-free seed potatoes”, the yield increased. Below we will look at what potato “virus-free seed potatoes” are.Are potato virus-free seed potatoes edible?
1. What are potato “virus-free seed potatoes”?
Virus-free seed potatoes refer to seed potatoes obtained after potato seed potatoes have gone through a series of physical, chemical, biological and other technical measures to eliminate viruses from the tuber body, resulting in seed potatoes that are virus-free or have very little virus infection. This technology was promoted in China's main potato-producing areas as early as 6 years ago, and through this technology an average yield increase of 30%-50% in the field can be achieved.
Potato degeneration is caused by virus infection. To solve potato degeneration, degenerated potatoes undergo a series of scientific and technological processes, that is, under sterile conditions, biological technology is used to remove the viruses they carry, obtaining virus-free test-tube plantlets. These are then propagated in high-altitude and high-latitude areas as pre-basic seeds and basic seeds, and the virus-free plantlets are propagated into virus-free seed potatoes at all levels, finally producing commercial potatoes. These virus-free seed potatoes and commercial potatoes are collectively called virus-free potatoes.
The yield and quality of potatoes are closely related to the seed potatoes. Virus-free potatoes have the following characteristics: a well-developed root system, strong ability to absorb nutrients and water, strong adaptability to climate, a relatively high leaf area index, and high transpiration area and photosynthetic efficiency. Therefore, they have the advantages of high yield and good quality.
Are potato virus-free seed potatoes edible?
After potatoes sprout, the solanine content in the young sprouts and bud eyes can reach as high as 0.3% - 0.5%. A normal human body ingesting 0.2—0.4 grams of solanine at one time can cause acute sprouted potato poisoning. Whether they are virus-free seed potatoes or ordinary seed potatoes, it is best not to eat them. They all contain solanine.
The potatoes we normally eat are different from potato seed potatoes. The vegetable potatoes we buy in the market cannot be used as potato seed potatoes. They may carry viruses, and it is impossible to judge whether the seed potatoes have degenerated in varietal characteristics. There are great hidden dangers in quality and safety, and they are not formal “virus-free seed potatoes”. In production and cultivation, the probability of virus infection and disease occurrence will be relatively high, affecting yield and quality.
It is best not to use them. The vegetable potatoes bought at the market may carry viruses, and it is impossible to judge whether the seed potatoes have degenerated in varietal characteristics. There are great hidden dangers in quality and safety, and they are not formal “virus-free seed potatoes”. In production and cultivation, the probability of virus infection and disease occurrence will be relatively high, affecting yield and quality. After potatoes have had viruses and the harm and interference of fungi and bacteria to plant growth removed, they will form tubers early, expand quickly, mature early, have no virus infection, high yield and good quality.