Seed potato production regulatory framework established in top potato producing countries: Comparison of the GOST (Russia) and UNECE S-1 certification systems

The purpose is to evaluate the phytosanitary status and the yields of individual potato varieties planted during the period from 2016 to 2021 on the territory of Kazakhstan. The study was conducted in 2016–2019 in the Almaty region, Kazakhstan. Ten varieties of potatoes were grown in the control and experimental fields. Potatoes were planted according to the state standards (GOST, governmental standard; hole system) in the control fields and according to the Dutch method in the experimental fields. The study found that 7 out of the 10 potato varieties planted in the experimental fields in 2016–2019 had at least 10 tons higher yields as compared to the varieties planted in the control fields (р = 0.01). The yields produced by the remaining 3 potato varieties were 7–10 tons higher in the experimental fields than in the control fields (р = 0.05). According to phytosanitary findings, soft rot was 22 times more common in the control fields than in the experimental fields (р = 0.01). The incidence of blackleg ranged from 1.3 to 3.8% in the control fields and from 0.3 to 0.7% in the experimental fields (р = 0.01). Viral infections were confirmed in 34.9% of cases in the control fields and in up to 15% of cases in the experimental fields (р = 0.05). [Display omitted] •Potatoes are one of the most strategically important products.•Different technologies for growing potatoes are associated with different yields.•The highest potato yields (up to 50 tons per 1 ha) are obtained by Dutch farmers.