Survey of potato production and possible yield constraints in Argentina

The potato is the most important horticultural crop in Argentina. Its commercial cultivation started in 1872/73 and production greatly increased due to area and yield increases. This paper surveys potato production in Argentina. It describes and quantifies distribution of crop area and production and the agro-ecological conditions in each growing area. Yield constraints are identified and a yield gap analysis was performed using the LINTUL-POTATO simulation model. Possibilities for further yield improvement are discussed. The survey established that important yield improvements were achieved in the country during the last 20 years, mainly due to the use of high quality seed, new cultivars, improved fertilizers and irrigation techniques, and better control of pests and diseases. However, the actual yield, at least for the regions studied, is still well below the attainable and potential yields established with the LINTUL-POTATO model. Suggestions are made to improve further the potato yield in the different growing areas.