Direct Seeding of TPS

wmontanez · May 6, 2013

I don't have the weather to do this but in a milder climate I think this technique is suitable. I found some videos in Spanish from a Peruvian agronomist showing the process in a small/medium scale. It does seem as they are able to get the seeds in 4 months. I made some quick translation for your benefit.

Part1 http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...k01hPP-U#t=90s
Part2 www.youtube.com/watch?v=YrwaXnAYU_Y

This work is a joint venture with the Company "Agroservis" where it started to work with true potato seed.
They though that would not have good results by starting with TPS seed beds, but fortunately resulted
in amazing results free of virus where before they needed to secure tuber seeds and store them
and now they generate the minitubers in a cheap way and easier to store.

First step: Obtaining seeds min 2:55
The TPS is extracted from the berries.
The person shows 4 varieties including Muru TPS
The narrator comments that obtaining seed depends on environmental conditions.

Second step: Preparing the seed beds
Prepare the seed bed 1 month before the sowing date.
After loosening the soil they add composted manure.
The TPS seedling bed is done in raised mounds.

Third step: Marking the beds.
They show various ways to make trenches of a 10cm spacing.
The spacing is 10cm by 10cm from plant to plant.
The sprinkle 3-4 TPS seeds in each spot and cover lightly with soil.

Fourth step: Watering the seed bed.
They soak the bed with a fine mist to not uncover the seeds
If necessary and having the resource they cover the seeds
To get germination depends on the weather , for example in Cajabamba region
germinates in 10-14days after sowing

Fifth step: First and Second Mounding
Min 1.10 shows the TPS seedlings. I think they thin them to 1 plant every 10cm.
Weeding and first time burying the stem (mound) around each plant when is about 10cm tall.
After 30 days a second mound is done, using a mix of compost/fertilizer and soil.
Mound around each plant until burying half of the plant stem.
They put some bug traps.

Sixth Step: Harvesting
Depending on the plant day to maturity, depending on the varieties
In the harvest, they select and classify the seed tubers by size, shape, eye color and health of tuber.

Seventh step: Storage
No more than 2 layer of tubers per tray (which is labeled with a description)they put them in a diffused storage with proper humidity to get them to sprout.
Around 3 months later is ready to plant.

Advantages of these method to obtain these seeds
Better quality, less disease, more revenue, less work for the farmer to obtain seed/storage
The technique is of easy management and integrated the whole family in the process.

wingnut · May 10, 2013

I have about 100,000+ seedling coming up everywhere in my garden!

wmontanez · May 10, 2013

Must be quite the picture

wingnut · May 10, 2013

They are just germinateing now, so are quite small still. I will transplant the most vigorous ones to my new fields.

May 6, 2013	#1
wmontanez Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: MA Posts: 776	Direct Seeding of TPS I don't have the weather to do this but in a milder climate I think this technique is suitable. I found some videos in Spanish from a Peruvian agronomist showing the process in a small/medium scale. It does seem as they are able to get the seeds in 4 months. I made some quick translation for your benefit. Part1 http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...k01hPP-U#t=90s Part2 www.youtube.com/watch?v=YrwaXnAYU_Y This work is a joint venture with the Company "Agroservis" where it started to work with true potato seed. They though that would not have good results by starting with TPS seed beds, but fortunately resulted in amazing results free of virus where before they needed to secure tuber seeds and store them and now they generate the minitubers in a cheap way and easier to store. First step: Obtaining seeds min 2:55 The TPS is extracted from the berries. The person shows 4 varieties including Muru TPS The narrator comments that obtaining seed depends on environmental conditions. Second step: Preparing the seed beds Prepare the seed bed 1 month before the sowing date. After loosening the soil they add composted manure. The TPS seedling bed is done in raised mounds. Third step: Marking the beds. They show various ways to make trenches of a 10cm spacing. The spacing is 10cm by 10cm from plant to plant. The sprinkle 3-4 TPS seeds in each spot and cover lightly with soil. Fourth step: Watering the seed bed. They soak the bed with a fine mist to not uncover the seeds If necessary and having the resource they cover the seeds To get germination depends on the weather , for example in Cajabamba region germinates in 10-14days after sowing Fifth step: First and Second Mounding Min 1.10 shows the TPS seedlings. I think they thin them to 1 plant every 10cm. Weeding and first time burying the stem (mound) around each plant when is about 10cm tall. After 30 days a second mound is done, using a mix of compost/fertilizer and soil. Mound around each plant until burying half of the plant stem. They put some bug traps. Sixth Step: Harvesting Depending on the plant day to maturity, depending on the varieties In the harvest, they select and classify the seed tubers by size, shape, eye color and health of tuber. Seventh step: Storage No more than 2 layer of tubers per tray (which is labeled with a description)they put them in a diffused storage with proper humidity to get them to sprout. Around 3 months later is ready to plant. Advantages of these method to obtain these seeds Better quality, less disease, more revenue, less work for the farmer to obtain seed/storage The technique is of easy management and integrated the whole family in the process. __________________ Wendy

May 10, 2013	#3
wmontanez Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: MA Posts: 776	Must be quite the picture __________________ Wendy

May 10, 2013	#2
wingnut Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2011 Location: bald hill area thurston county washington Posts: 312	I have about 100,000+ seedling coming up everywhere in my garden!