Air-Grown Potatoes Show New Promise in Indore

Key Highlights

Indore scientists test air-grown potatoes using aeroponics
One tuber can give nearly 250 small tubers
Seeds grown in this system stay clean and free from disease
Water use drops sharply compared to regular farming

A team in Indore is testing a new way to grow potatoes without soil. The method lets plants grow in the air with their roots hanging inside a closed chamber. Early tests show that one tuber may produce far more seed potatoes than usual.

Why Indore Scientists Are Trying This Method

Indore and nearby areas grow potatoes that are known for good quality. But farmers often face trouble when pests or viruses spread through the crop. This lowers output and leads to losses.

To deal with this, Rajmata Vijaya Raje Scindia Agricultural College has set up an aeroponics lab where potato seeds are being grown in a clean and controlled space. The aim is to give farmers seed potatoes that stay clean and stay safe from common crop issues.

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How Air-Based Growing Works

Dr. Ankita Sahu, who leads the work, said the plants are grown without soil or water on the ground. Instead, the roots stay in the air inside a special box. A fine spray gives the roots nutrients at set intervals.
As the plant grows, tiny potatoes begin to form on the roots. These small tubers can later be planted in fields the normal way.

Right now, this method is still being tested and the team is studying how well it performs in different conditions.

What Makes This Method Useful

A regular potato plant gives only a few tubers. But with the aeroponics method, one tuber can make around 200 to 250 small tubers. This gives farmers many times more seed from a single plant.
A key benefit is that these tubers stay clean because they grow in a closed area. There is no contact with soil, insects or common field issues.

Another gain is water use. Aeroponics uses far less water compared to field farming, almost 90% less because the spray is controlled and nothing goes to waste.

Future Possibilities

If the method proves effective in larger tests, farmers in Indore and nearby regions may soon get clean, good-quality seed potatoes at a faster rate. This can help raise output and reduce losses caused by plant health issues.

The new method is still in its early stage, but the early signs look useful. If the system works well in larger setups, potato growers in the region may soon have a safer and more practical way to get seed potatoes.