Survey of potato production and possible yield constraints in Argentina

The potato is the most important horticultural crop in Argentina. Its comme rcial cultivation started in 1872/73 and production greatly increased due t o area and yield increases. This paper surveys potato production in Argenti na. It describes and quantifies distribution of crop area and production an d the agro-ecological conditions in each growing area. Yield constraints ar e identified and a yield gap analysis was performed using the LINTUL-POTATO simulation model. Possibilities for further yield improvement are discusse d. The survey established that important yield improvements were achieved i n the country during the last 20 years, mainly due to the use of high quali ty 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 y ields established with the LINTUL-POTATO model. Suggestions are made to imp rove further the potato yield in the different growing areas.