Comparison of hydroponic and aeroponic cultivation systems for the production of potato minitubers

Two different cultivation systems, aeroponics and hydroponics in greenhouse beds, were compared for the production of potato minitubers. Plants in the aeroponic system showed increased vegetative growth, delayed tuber formati on and an extended vegetative cycle of about seven months after transplanti ng. Therefore in 1999, two production cycles were obtained with the hydropo nic system, but only one with the aeroponic system. However, compared with total production in hydroponics, the tuber yield per plant in the aeroponic system was almost 70% higher and tuber number more than 2.5 fold higher. A verage tuber weight was reduced by 33% in the aeroponic system. Advantages and possible problems with the aeroponic system for minituber production ar e discussed.