Vital Seeds, Inc.
Soilless cultivation of potato seeds using closed irrigation systems in the forms of High-Pressure Aeroponics, Standard-Pressure Aeroponics, and Drip Irrigation
Vital Seeds is setting a new standard for Potato Seed quality. By applying its internationally patented proven technology and procedures Vital Seeds is producing from a single tissue culture plantlet in excess of 3,000 clean mini-tubers. Compare this to conventional processes, which typically produce 2-3 mini-tubers. This practice has enabled Vital Seeds to revamp the propagation of potato seed and achieve an unmatched, new level of seed quality:
- By producing a massive number of mini-tubers (typically larger than 20mm in diameter) at an affordable cost, Vital Seeds' PoG enables variety owners to provide the market with any quantity of clean seed that the market may demand. Therefore, variety owners are able to offer 2nd field generation seed at the price of 9th generation.
- Vital Seeds' PoG enables markets, that in the past relied on imported seed, to produce potato seed locally, thus limiting the potential unintended importation and spread of diseases.
- Empowered by the versatility and flexibility of its technology deployment, Vital Seeds has successfully facilitated the production of seed at any time of the year, thus, overcoming the limitations of seed's physiological age.
Background Facts:
The cultivation of potato seed is, to a certain degree, globally consistent. The word seed refers to potato tubers that qualify for the further production of seed or the production of ware potatoes. The potato seed production is a process of multiplication (also referred to as propagation), and it is a repetitive, cyclical activity that spans a number of years. In North America this propagation process is limited to seven field generations (i.e., seven years). Each generation represents a specific designation for a level of quality; the highest quality being with the least number of field generations.
In the European Union, the propagation process could span eight to nine years and is not fixed by the number of field generations, as is the case in North America. In the EU, there are five class level designations. These are “S”, “SE”, “E”, “A”, and “C”. Each class represents a level of quality. Each class has a defined tolerance level for the presence of certain nonbacterial diseases. The tolerance levels increase slightly with each class produced. Therefore, the class designation describes a precise seed quality based upon parentage and the amount of disease detected in the crop.
Generally, whether seed tubers are produced in Europe or North America, seed production is heavily regulated to prevent the potential spread of diseases. Certified-Seed has to be approved and certified by the designated authority before they are made available for sale to other seed or ware potato growers. Seed Tubers that do not pass the certification process, which is based on specific standard requirements pertaining to the level of viral and bacterial contaminants, are rejected and downgraded to ware potatoes.
Typical Propagation Cycle Vs. Vital Seeds'
As illustrated in this table, by making it possible for potato seed growers to produce FY2 at the cost of FY9 (therefore, making it possible for ware potato growers to acquire FY2 seed at the price of FY9), Vital Seeds redefined the propagation cycle of potato seed in a way that adds significant value to the growers, the environment, and the consumers.
Welcome to Our Website
Our internationally patented "Potato Incubator" with its three compartmental design and proven growing protocol are enabling us to achieve our vision!
Potato out of Ground (PoG)
is Vital Seeds' total solution aimed at taking the production of seed out of soil.