IAC launches the first colored potato varieties in Brazil

The first colored potato varieties developed in Brazil with colored skin and pulp arrive on the national market. The Agronomic Institute (IAC), in Campinas, developed IAC Turmalina with purple skin and pulp in mixed purple and white rings and IAC Granada, with intense red skin and pulp in mixed red and white rings. The two new products are already being cultivated by small and medium-sized potato producers, including in an organic system. A kilo has been sold for up to R$10,00, a value ten times higher than that of conventional potatoes. The two colored varieties and two other conventional potato varieties will be launched, IAC Obelix and IAC Axel, both with high phytosanitary resistance and high productivity, in addition to large tubers with a shape that pleases the industry and the consumer. The launch will be this Friday, October 15th, at Casa Branca, at the Bataticultores Cooperative of Vargem Grande do Sul, with the presence of the Secretary of Agriculture and Supply of São Paulo, Itamar Borges.

With the two colored varieties, IAC's objective is to serve small and medium-sized producers in the traditional and organic systems, who have already shown a very positive return on these new materials. In addition to the high added value, which multiplies the price per kilo by ten, compared to that of conventional potatoes, the high demand has left interested parties waiting for a greater production volume. "In the potato chain, there is no point in the researcher thinking that the variety is good, the consumer and, above all, the producer have to like the material, that's why we carry out tests with farmers before launch", comments the IAC researcher responsible for studies, Thiago Factor.

The IAC intends to produce seedlings and genetic seeds using the aeroponics method, a technique developed by Factor in Brazil that aims to improve the quality of seed potatoes. For the production of basic G1 and G2 seeds, we will license production with companies that have already expressed interest in these new varieties", he says. In Latin America, colored potatoes are consumed in countries such as Peru, Colombia and Chile. Peruvians consume with the skin, which are only washed and not removed. In Brazil, there is no such habit, but they can be consumed with the skin, according to Factor. "The national market is eager for colored potatoes", he says.

IAC Turmalina, the first national cultivar with purple skin and mixed purple and white rings, attracts consumers with its appearance. It is ideal for producing colorful chips, which will certainly be a hit in dishes with gastronomic appeal and children's birthday parties. For the farmer, the benefits are in the technological package, which includes an early cycle of 80 to 90 days. Why is this relevant? For the organic producer, the less time the plant is in the field, the better to avoid the incidence of diseases. For the farmer who keeps his potatoes under pivot irrigation, the sooner he harvests, the quicker he will be able to install another crop, such as beans, for example.

The IAC Granada variety has intense red skin and pulp with mixed red and white rings. Just like IAC Turmalina, it wins over consumers "by the eyes", due to its distinctive appearance that yields tasty chips with an attractive appearance. For farmers, the gain lies in moderate resistance to the two main crop diseases: late blight and alternaria.

Late blight kills the plant in just three days. "It is very difficult to control it without successive applications of products", says the IAC researcher, from the São Paulo Agribusiness Technology Agency (APTA). Alternaria, typical of places or growing seasons with higher temperatures, causes losses of more than 50% of productivity, especially if the incidence is early.

IAC Obelix and IAC Axel, new conventional potato varieties, have high productivity, around 40 tons per hectare. Ideal for "potato sticks", IAC Obelix has high resistance to late blight. "There is no other plant in Brazil with such high resistance to the most serious crop disease", says Factor. With this resistance, it has been cultivated in the organic system. Another advantage is the large, long and elongated tubers. This is the format desired by the industry as it provides the best industrial performance. IAC Obelix is ​​the "daughter" of the potato known in Varejões, the Asterix. "IAC Obelix showed promising results in Minas Gerais, in the largest frozen potato factory in Brazil", comments the scientist. Minas is the main national potato growing state. Potatoes are cultivated in practically the entire national territory, except in the Northeast and the Amazon region, due to the hot and humid climate that favors a higher incidence of diseases.

IAC Axel has high productivity, around 40 tons per hectare. Furthermore, it requires 30% less inputs than other conventional materials. This performance results from the high resistance to alternaria. IAC Axel has a format that appeals to the consumer, similar to traditional standard market varieties. "Brazilians like this shape: long, elongated and with a smooth, shiny shell", comments Factor. To complete the ideal profile, it has dual capabilities, that is, it can be cooked and fried.

For fitness consumers, the good news is that IAC Axel can be used in salads or baked goods. In this option, you don't use oil and have a crust on the outside and creamy on the inside. Who doesn't want to try it?

The availability of new cultivars is part of the São Paulo State Government's Technological Delivery program. By 2022, the six Institutes and 11 Regional Research Hubs linked to the São Paulo Agribusiness Technology Agency (APTA), of the Secretariat, will make 150 technologies available to all agricultural production chains. This year, the goal is to make 50 technologies available in the areas of agriculture, livestock, fishing and aquaculture, economics, food processing and health.

How IAC Arrived at the First Colorful Potato Varieties

The Agronomic Institute began the research, in partnership with APTA Regional de Mococa, in 2009, when it imported 14 varieties of colored potatoes from the International Potato Center, in Peru, where the largest germplasm bank of the species in the world is located. The import was made via the IAC Quarantine.

The potato originates from the Andes. The IAC imported the colored potatoes, which were crossed with Brazilian materials. Scientists then selected those adapted to Brazil's tropical climate. "That's why we call IAC Turmalina and IAC Granada an Andean treasure in São Paulo", comments the researcher.

New varieties can be identified in any crop

The four new varieties have already undergone finger print technology, capable of identifying the "fingerprint" of biological material, in order to identify its identity in any crop where it is planted. The finger print analyzes were carried out in the laboratory at the IAC Sugarcane Center, in Ribeirão Preto, in the interior of São Paulo. The four materials are in the registration phase with the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Supply (MAPA).

Why are some potatoes for frying and others for cooking?

The use of potatoes depends on the amount of dry matter present in the tuber. Potatoes, in general, are made up of 80% water and 20% dry matter. The higher the percentage of dry matter, the more suitable the potato is for frying. The smaller it is, the better it is for cooking. In the case of the new IAC varieties, only Axel has dual aptitude. Both colors are suitable for making chips and Obelix is ​​ideal for potato sticks.