Why a Bumper Harvest is Spelling Trouble for Punjab’s Doaba Potato Farmers. In the heart of Punjab’s fertile Doaba region, the arrival of the potato harvesting season is usually a time of bustling activity and economic hope. However, this year, the sprawling green fields of Jalandhar and Kapurthala are clouded by a sense of deep unease. For the farmers of this “potato belt,” a combination of leftover stocks from the previous year and the prospect of an exceptionally high output this season has created a paradoxical crisis of plenty. While a bumper crop is typically celebrated, for the potato growers of Punjab, it has become a harbinger of financial distress. The market is currently grappling with a supply-demand imbalance that threatens to push farm-gate prices below the cost of production, leaving many questioning the viability of their hard work. The Glut from Yesterday The roots of the current crisis lie in the tail end of the previous agricultural cycle. Last year, Punjab witnessed a highly productive season, but the market failed to absorb the entirety of the harvest. Significant quantities of potatoes remained in cold storage, unsold and waiting for a price correction that never materialized. Link As the new harvest begins, these old stocks continue to sit in warehouses, occupying space and dampening the demand for fresh produce. This overlap is a critical factor in the current price slump. When fresh potatoes enter a market already saturated with old stock, the immediate consequence is a sharp decline in wholesale rates. For many Doaba farmers, the struggle isn’t just about selling this year’s crop; it’s about clearing the debts incurred from the one that didn’t sell last year. Prices on the Brink The early varieties of potatoes, such as Kufri Pukhraj, are already hitting the market. These 60-day crops are essential for maintaining a farmer’s cash flow. However, the current farm-gate prices are hovering around ₹6 to ₹7 per kilogram. According to local agricultural representatives, these rates barely cover the basic input costs—seeds, fertilizers, diesel, and labor. Jaswinder Sangha, a prominent voice in the Jalandhar Potato Growers Association, has pointed out that at these rates, there is zero profit margin. “We are just at par with the expenses,” he noted, reflecting a sentiment shared by thousands. Without a profit margin, farmers find it impossible to reinvest in the next cropping cycle or service the high-interest loans often taken from local commission agents or banks. A Nationwide Surplus The crisis is not confined to Punjab alone. Agriculture is a national network, and this year, several major potato-producing states—including West Bengal, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and Odisha—are assumed to report higher-than-average production. Link Historically, Punjab has served as the “seed hub” for the rest of the country. Doaba farmers take pride in producing high-quality seeds that are exported to the eastern and southern states. However, logistical hurdles and political events elsewhere have disrupted this vital trade link. For instance, recent elections in Bihar and labor shortages in West Bengal have slowed down the off-loading of Punjab’s seed consignments. Delays in transportation, exacerbated by unseasonal weather in some regions, have led to some supplies rotting in transit, adding physical loss to financial injury. The Double-Edged Sword of Technology Interestingly, the very innovations that have made Doaba farmers world leaders in potato production are now contributing to the oversupply. The region has seen a surge in the use of advanced agricultural technologies. Many farmers have established private tissue culture laboratories, allowing them to multiply high-yield varieties sourced from the Central Potato Research Institute (CPRI) in Kufri. Techniques like aeroponics—growing plants in an air or mist environment without soil—have also gained traction, significantly boosting the output of virus-free potato seeds. While this technological leap exemplifies the Punjab farmer’s progressive mindset, it has also led to a production capacity that currently outstrips the market’s ability to consume or export. The Weather Factor: A Fickle Friend In a typical year, farmers worry about “Late Blight,” a devastating fungal disease triggered by fog, smog, and frost. This year, the weather has been unusually clear. While the absence of blight is a relief, it also means that the survival rate of the crop is nearly 100%. As Jang Bahadur Sangha, one of the region’s largest growers, observed, if the weather remains clear for another fortnight, the region will see a massive bumper crop of varieties like Kufri Chandramukhi, Kufri Jyoti, and Diamond. In a stable market, this would be a windfall. In a saturated market, every extra bag of potatoes harvested further depresses the price, turning nature’s bounty into an economic burden. The Consumer-Politician Nexus vs. The Grower There is a growing sense of frustration among farmers regarding the “demand-supply ratio.” While low potato prices are a boon for urban consumers and a relief for politicians looking to keep food inflation in check, the grower is the one subsidizing this cheap food with their own losses. Farmers argue that there is a lack of a robust government intervention mechanism to stabilize prices during a glut. Unlike wheat and paddy, which benefit from the Minimum Support Price (MSP) and government procurement, potatoes are largely left to the mercy of the open market. When the market fails, the farmer has no safety net. Summary The potato farmers of Doaba are among the most resilient and innovative in the world. They have turned a humble tuber into a regional powerhouse. Yet, as they stand amidst fields of plenty, they face a future of uncertainty. The sight of farm workers diligently gathering the new harvest should be one of prosperity, but without structural changes to the market and government support, it remains a cycle of struggle. For the Doaba farmer, the hope now rests on a miracle of the market—or perhaps a lesson for the policy-makers: that a bumper crop should never be a cause for worry in a country that prides itself on its agricultural heritage. Until then, the surplus stocks remain a heavy weight on the shoulders of those who feed the nation. Inputs from : The Tribune

पंजाब के दोआबा आलू किसानों के लिए बम्पर फसल क्यों परेशानी का सबब बन रही है। पंजाब के उपजाऊ दोआबा क्षेत्र के दिल में आलू की फसल कटाई का मौसम आमतौर पर व्यस्तता और आर्थिक आशा का समय होता है। हालाँकि, इस वर्ष जलंधर और कपूरथला के फैले हुए हरे खेतों में गहरी चिंता की भावना छाई हुई है। इस "आलू बेल्ट" के किसानों के लिए, पिछले वर्ष के बचे हुए स्टॉक्स और इस मौसम में असाधारण उच्च उत्पादन की संभावना ने abundance की एक विरोधाभासी संकट उत्पन्न कर दिया है। जबकि बम्पर फसल को आमतौर पर मनाया जाता है, पंजाब के आलू उत्पादकों के लिए, यह वित्तीय संकट का एक सूचक बन गया है। बाजार इस समय एक आपूर्ति-प्रतिदान असंतुलन का सामना कर रहा है जो कृषि द्वार मूल्य को उत्पादन लागत से नीचे धकेलने की धमकी दे रहा है, जिससे कई लोग अपने कड़ी मेहनत की व्यवहार्यता पर सवाल उठा रहे हैं। पिछले वर्ष का अधिशेष वर्तमान संकट की जड़ें पिछले कृषि चक्र के अंत में हैं। पिछले वर्ष, पंजाब ने एक अत्यधिक उत्पादक मौसम का अनुभव किया, लेकिन बाजार ने फसल के संपूर्ण स्टॉक को समाहित करने में असफलता दिखाई। आलू की महत्वपूर्ण मात्रा कोल्ड स्टोरेज में रह गई, अनबिकी और एक मूल्य सुधार की प्रतीक्षा कर रही थी जो कभी नहीं आया। जैसे ही नई फसल शुरू होती है, ये पुराने स्टॉक्स गोदामों में बैठे रहते हैं, स्थान घेरते हैं और ताजे उत्पाद की मांग को दबाते हैं। यह ओवरलैप वर्तमान मूल्य गिरावट में एक महत्वपूर्ण कारक है। जब ताजे आलू एक ऐसे बाजार में प्रवेश करते हैं जो पुराने स्टॉक से पहले ही संतृप्त है, तो तत्काल परिणाम थोक दरों में तेजी से गिरावट होती है। कई दोआबा किसानों के लिए, संघर्ष केवल इस वर्ष की फसल बेचने का नहीं है; यह पिछले वर्ष की अनबिकी फसल के कारण हुए कर्जों को चुकाने का है। कीमतों का संकट कुफरी पुखराज जैसी प्रारंभिक किस्में पहले ही बाजार में आ चुकी हैं। ये 60-दिन की फसलें एक किसान की नकद प्रवाह बनाए रखने के लिए महत्वपूर्ण हैं। हालाँकि, वर्तमान कृषि द्वार मूल्य लगभग ₹6 से ₹7 प्रति किलोग्राम के आसपास हैं। स्थानीय कृषि प्रतिनिधियों के अनुसार, ये दरें बुनियादी इनपुट लागत—बीज, उर्वरक, डीजल, और श्रम—को भी मुश्किल से कवर करती हैं। जलंधर आलू उत्पादक संघ के प्रमुख सदस्य जसविंदर संगा ने इंगित किया है कि इन दरों पर, लाभ का अंतर शून्य है। “हम केवल खर्चों के बराबर हैं,” उन्होंने कहा, जो हजारों लोगों की भावना को दर्शाता है। बिना लाभ के अंतर के, किसानों के लिए अगली फसल चक्र में पुनः निवेश करना या स्थानीय कमीशन एजेंटों या बैंकों से लिए गए उच्च-ब्याज वाले ऋणों को चुकाना असंभव हो जाता है। एक राष्ट्रीय अधिशेष संकट केवल पंजाब तक ही सीमित नहीं है। कृषि एक राष्ट्रीय नेटवर्क है, और इस वर्ष कई प्रमुख आलू उत्पादक राज्यों—जैसे पश्चिम बंगाल, बिहार, उत्तर प्रदेश, और ओडिशा—ने औसत से अधिक उत्पादन की रिपोर्ट की उम्मीद की गई है। ऐतिहासिक रूप से, पंजाब अन्य भागों के लिए "बीज केंद्र" के रूप में कार्य करता है। दोआबा के किसान उच्च-गुणवत्ता वाले बीजों का उत्पादन करने में गर्व महसूस करते हैं जो पूर्वी और दक्षिणी राज्यों में निर्यात होते हैं। हालाँकि, अन्य जगहों पर लॉजिस्टिक बाधाएं और राजनीतिक घटनाएं इस महत्वपूर्ण व्यापार लिंक को बाधित कर चुकी हैं। उदाहरण के लिए, बिहार में हाल के चुनाव और पश्चिम बंगाल में श्रमिकों की कमी ने पंजाब के बीजों के consignments के उतारे जाने में धीमी गति उत्पन्न की है। परिवहन में देरी, कुछ क्षेत्रों में असामान्य मौसम के कारण बढ़ी हुई, कुछ आपूर्तियों को यात्रा के दौरान सड़ने की स्थिति में छोड़ देती है, जिससे वित्तीय नुकसान में भौतिक हानि जुड़ जाती है। तकनीक का दोधारी तीर दिलचस्प बात यह है कि वही नवोन्मेष जो दोआबा के किसानों को आलू उत्पादन में विश्व नेता बना चुकी हैं, अब अधिशेष में योगदान दे रही हैं। क्षेत्र में उन्नत कृषि तकनीकों का उपयोग तेजी से बढ़ा है। कई किसानों ने निजी ऊतक संस्कृति प्रयोगशालाएं स्थापित की हैं, जो उन्हें केंद्रीय आलू अनुसंधान संस्थान (सीपीआरआई) से प्राप्त उच्च-उपज वाली किस्मों की वृद्धि करने की अनुमति देती हैं। एरोपोनिक्स जैसी तकनीकें—मिट्टी के बिना हवा या धुंध के वातावरण में पौधों को उगाना—ने भी गति प्राप्त की है, जिससे वायरस-मुक्त आलू बीजों का उत्पादन काफी बढ़ा है। जबकि यह तकनीकी प्रगति पंजाब के किसान के प्रगतिशील सोच का उदाहरण है, इसने उत्पादन क्षमता को भी बढ़ा दिया है जो वर्तमान में बाजार की खपत या निर्यात की क्षमता से अधिक है। मौसम का कारक: एक परिवर्तनशील दोस्त एक सामान्य वर्ष में, किसान "लेट ब्लाइट" के बारे में चिंतित रहते हैं, जो कोहरे, धुंध और ठंड से उत्पन्न होने वाली एक विनाशकारी फंगल बीमारी है। इस वर्ष, मौसम असामान्य रूप से साफ रहा है। हालांकि ब्लाइट की अनुपस्थिति राहत है, इसका यह भी मतलब है कि फसल का जीवित रहने की दर लगभग 100% है। जंगल बहादुर संगा, क्षेत्र के सबसे बड़े उत्पादकों में से एक, ने देखा कि यदि मौसम अगले पखवाड़े तक साफ बना रहता है, तो क्षेत्र कुफरी चंद्रमुखी, कुफरी ज्योति, और डायमंड जैसी किस्मों की एक विशाल बम्पर फसल देखेगा। एक स्थिर बाजार में, यह एक धनवृद्धि होगी। एक संतृप्त बाजार में, प्रत्येक अतिरिक्त आलू की बैग की कटाई में मूल्य को और नीचे दबाता है, प्रकृति की प्रचुरता को एक आर्थिक बोझ में बदल देता है। उपभोक्ता-राजनीतिक संबंध बनाम उत्पादक किसानों के बीच "मांग-पुरवठा अनुपात" को लेकर निराशा की भावना बढ़ रही है। जबकि कम आलू की कीमतें शहरी उपभोक्ताओं के लिए एक वरदान हैं और खाद्य महंगाई को नियंत्रण में रखने के लिए राजनीतिक नेताओं के लिए राहत हैं, उत्पादक वही हैं जो अपनी खुद की हानियों के साथ इस सस्ते भोजन को सब्सिडी दे रहे हैं। किसानों का तर्क है कि अधिशेष के दौरान कीमतों को स्थिर करने के लिए एक मजबूत सरकारी हस्तक्षेप तंत्र की कमी है। गेहूं और धान के विपरीत, जो न्यूनतम समर्थन मूल्य (एमएसपी) और सरकारी खरीद से लाभान्वित होते हैं, आलू को ज्यादातर खुले बाजार की दया पर छोड़ दिया गया है। जब बाजार विफल हो जाता है, तो किसान के पास कोई सुरक्षा जाल नहीं होता। सारांश दोआबा के आलू किसान दुनिया में सबसे लचीले और नवोन्मेषी हैं। उन्होंने एक साधारण कंद को एक क्षेत्रीय शक्ति में बदल दिया है। फिर भी, जब वे प्रचुरता के बीच खड़े होते हैं, तो वे अनिश्चितता के भविष्य का सामना कर रहे हैं। खेतों में मेहनती श्रमिकों को नई फसल इकट्ठा करते हुए देखना समृद्धि का एक दृश्य होना चाहिए, परंतु बाजार और सरकारी समर्थन में संरचनात्मक परिवर्तनों के बिना, यह संघर्ष का चक्र बना रहता है। दोआबा किसान के लिए, अब आशा बाजार के एक चमत्कार पर निर्भर करती है—या शायद नीति-निर्माताओं के लिए एक पाठ: कि बम्पर फसल कभी भी एक चिंताओं का कारण नहीं होनी चाहिए एक ऐसे देश में जो अपनी कृषि विरासत पर गर्व करता है। तब तक, अधिशेष स्टॉक्स उन लोगों के कंधों पर एक भारी बोझ बने रहते हैं जो राष्ट्र का पोषण करते हैं।

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Deep Commitment to Contract Farming A critical element of McPatel’s operation and philosophy is its integrated approach to raw material sourcing, centred on contract farming. Given that the founders belong to the Patel family and are closely connected to the farming community, this relationship is foundational. McPatel actively engages in contract farming with producers in Gujarat and neighbouring states. This partnership goes beyond simple purchasing; the company provides significant support to the farmers. Specifically, McPatel helps farmers grow by supplying essential raw materials, such as the specialized potato seeds needed for processing. Furthermore, the company aids them with knowledge regarding plantations and farming techniques. The commitment is cemented by a buy-back agreement, where McPatel purchases the raw potatoes produced under these contracts for use in their factories. This strategy ensures a consistent, high-quality supply of potatoes necessary for best-in-class frozen products. The company has emphasized its plan to “grow with our farmers”. Ambitious Future Expansion Plans McPatel Foods has laid out highly ambitious expansion goals slated for implementation within the coming three years. This expansion is multifaceted, targeting increased raw material handling, greater output of existing products, and diversification into new product lines. The planned expansion will dramatically increase the raw potato processing capability. The current consumption of 10 to 12 tons of raw material per hour is intended to expand substantially, reaching a future capacity of 40 to 50 tons of raw material (potatoes) per hour. In terms of finished goods, the frozen French fries line will see a major upgrade. An additional production line is planned, which will add approximately 20 tons per hour of capacity for frozen French fries. Complementing this, the dehydrated potato flake line is also set for expansion, targeting an increased capacity up to 1.2 tons per hour. Significantly, the expansion includes diversification into specialized products. The company plans to introduce a potato speciality line, which will include products such as hash browns, burger patties , aloo Tikki, and other potato speciality products. This comprehensive expansion plan, projected to be completed within two years, underlines McPatel’s commitment to capturing a larger share of the developing Indian frozen food market.

मैकपटेल फूड्स की कहानी: यूरोप में एक साझेदारी का निर्माण मैकपटेल फूड्स 2023 में चार संस्थापकों के बीच साझा दृष्टिकोण से उभरा, जिसका उद्देश्य भारतीय बाजार में जमी हुई खाद्य पदार्थों के क्षेत्र में क्रांति लाना था। कंपनी का दृष्टिकोण, जिसे चार निदेशकों और संस्थापकों — करण सारोड़िया, आदित्य पटेल, कीरत हरनिया, और जिनेश पटेल — द्वारा सामूहिक रूप से विकसित किया गया था, को स्पष्ट रूप से परिभाषित किया गया था ताकि भारतीय ग्राहकों को सर्वोत्तम गुणवत्ता वाले उत्पाद प्रदान किए जा सकें, साथ ही निर्यात बाजार पर भी ध्यान केंद्रित किया जा सके। कंपनी ने विशेष रूप से जमी हुई आलू फ्राइज़ पर ध्यान केंद्रित करते हुए अपने संचालन की स्थापना की। मैकपटेल फूड्स का निर्माण चार निदेशकों द्वारा किए गए एक विशेष, प्रभावशाली यात्रा का परिणाम था। वे पहले से ही अलग-अलग उद्योगों से परिचित थे। यह महत्वपूर्ण क्षण तब हुआ जब वे सभी 2023 के अंत में अनुगा यूरोप व्यापार मेले में भाग लेने गए, जिसका उद्देश्य जमी हुई खाद्य पदार्थों के बाजार का अन्वेषण करना था। इसी अन्वेषण के दौरान मैकपटेल फूड्स का विचार उत्पन्न हुआ, जिससे कंपनी क...
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West Bengal’s Sanjoy Guha Roy Identifies Why Potato Crops Fail Every Year. In India, the potato is more than just a vegetable—it is a staple, a livelihood, and a cornerstone of food security—a silent enemy has long eluded the grasp of science. For decades, farmers in the Indo-Gangetic plains have watched in despair as their lush green fields turned into a blackened, rotting mass within days. This devastation is caused by Late Blight, a disease triggered by the notorious oomycete Phytophthora infestans. While the symptoms were well-known, the source of the recurring infection remained a subject of intense debate. A groundbreaking study led by Professor Sanjoy Guha Roy from the Department of Botany at West Bengal State University (Barasat) has finally unmasked the culprit. Published in the prestigious journal Phytopathology—the century-old flagship publication of the American Phytopathological Society—the research identifies seed potatoes as the primary reservoir for the disease. Specifically, the study reveals that even “high-tech” seed potatoes, produced under laboratory conditions, harbor hidden, dormant infections that bridge the gap between cropping seasons. The Historical Ghost and Modern Economic Toll To understand the weight of this discovery, one must look back at the 1840s. Phytophthora infestans was the primary cause of the Great Irish Potato Famine, which led to the death of over a million people and changed the course of history through mass migration. In modern India, the second-largest potato producer in the world, the pathogen remains a formidable foe. Link According to the research team, Late Blight claims approximately 15% of India’s total potato production annually. In monetary terms, this translates to a staggering loss of roughly ₹2,700 crore. In years where the disease takes an epidemic form, the losses can be even more catastrophic, pushing debt-ridden farmers to the brink of suicide. Despite the use of expensive fungicides, the disease frequently returns, leading scientists to ask: where does the pathogen hide during the blistering Indian summer when the soil temperature becomes too high for it to survive? The Myth of Soil-Borne Survival In many parts of the world, Late Blight survives in the soil through thick-walled structures called oospores. However, in the tropical and sub-tropical plains of India, the intense heat of the “off-season” (summer) was long thought to be lethal to the pathogen. Some experts theorized that the infection migrated every year from the cooler Himalayan regions or survived in alternative host plants. Professor Guha Roy’s research has effectively debunked these theories for the Indian plains. Through rigorous soil testing and experimental trials under high-temperature conditions, the team found no evidence of the pathogen surviving in the soil between seasons. Instead, they turned their attention to the seed tubers themselves. The study involved testing over 7,000 seed potatoes that appeared perfectly healthy to the naked eye. Using advanced molecular diagnostics and genetic analysis, the researchers discovered that approximately 1.6% of these “healthy” seeds were actually asymptomatic carriers. These tubers contained the pathogen in a dormant state, waiting for the cooler, humid conditions of the winter planting season to reactivate and spread to the rest of the crop. The Paradox of High-Tech Seed Production One of the most alarming findings of the study is that even modern seed production systems are not immune. Today, many farmers rely on seeds produced via tissue culture in specialized labs. These “Pre-Basic” seeds are initially pathogen-free. However, before they reach the farmer, they must be “multiplied” in the field or in greenhouses (often called net-houses or glasshouses) to produce enough volume for commercial sale. Link The researchers identified this multiplication phase as the critical point of failure. In many potato-growing regions, such as Punjab and West Bengal, these seed-multiplication nurseries are located in close proximity to commercial potato fields. During the growing season, spores from infected commercial crops can easily find their way into the supposedly “protected” greenhouses through wind or human activity. Once the seed plants are infected, the pathogen hitches a ride inside the newly formed tubers, where it remains hidden throughout the summer storage period. The European Connection: A More Aggressive Lineage The research also provided a genetic profile of the enemy. The dominant strain currently wreaking havoc in India belongs to the “European clonal lineage,” specifically the genotype known as EU_13_A2. This lineage is significantly more aggressive than the strains previously found in India. It is also notably resistant to Metalaxyl, one of the most commonly used and affordable fungicides. The presence of this lineage explains why recent outbreaks have been so swift and difficult to control. By surviving inside the seed potato, this aggressive strain ensures its survival across seasons, effectively “seeding” the next epidemic even before the farmer has finished planting. Identifying the “Stem Lesion” Clue The study sheds light on how the disease begins its visible assault. In many cases, the infection starts not on the leaves, but as small, dark lesions on the stem of the plant. These stem lesions often go unnoticed by farmers in the early stages. However, they serve as a factory for spores that quickly wash down into the soil or blow across the field, leading to the rapid-fire destruction characteristic of Late Blight. The identification of stem-focused infection pathways is crucial for improving early warning systems. If farmers can be trained to look for these early indicators on the stems of emerging plants, they may be able to take preventative action before the entire field is compromised. A Roadmap for the Future The recognition of Professor Guha Roy’s work as an “Editor’s Pick” in Phytopathology highlights its global significance. It provides a clear directive for policymakers and agricultural scientists in India and other developing nations. To break the cycle of Late Blight, the following steps are essential: Stricter Certification and Monitoring: Current seed certification processes must include molecular testing for asymptomatic infections. Relying on visual inspection alone is clearly insufficient. Strategic Relocation of Nurseries: Seed multiplication should be moved to “blight-free” zones or areas geographically isolated from commercial potato crops to prevent cross-contamination. Modern Diagnostic Kits: There is an urgent need to develop affordable, field-level diagnostic kits that can help seed producers and government agencies identify latent infections in stored tubers. Integrated Management: Since the pathogen is now known to be seed-borne, farmers should be encouraged to use certified, tested seeds and adopt “prophylactic” (preventative) fungicide applications rather than waiting for symptoms to appear. Conclusion The work of the West Bengal State University research team marks a turning point in the fight against one of the world’s most devastating plant diseases. By identifying the humble seed potato as the secret hideout for Phytophthora infestans, they have provided the missing link in the epidemiological chain. As India strives to ensure food security for its growing population, protecting the potato crop is non-negotiable. This discovery not only honors the scientific excellence emerging from Bengal but also offers a beacon of hope for millions of farmers whose livelihoods depend on the health of their tubers. The “Silent Saboteur” has been found; the next challenge lies in making sure it has nowhere left to hide.

पश्चिम बंगाल के संजय गुहा रॉय ने पहचान की है कि हर साल आलू की फसलें क्यों असफल होती हैं। भारत में, आलू केवल एक सब्जी नहीं है—यह एक मुख्य खाद्य पदार्थ, जीवन यापन का साधन और खाद्य सुरक्षा का आधार है—एक मौन दुश्मन लंबे समय से विज्ञान की पकड़ से बाहर रहा है। दशकों से, इंडो-गंगेय मैदानों में किसान निराशा से देखते आ रहे हैं जब उनकी हरी-भरी फसलें कुछ ही दिनों में काले, सड़ते ढेर में बदल जाती हैं। यह विनाश लेट ब्लाइट द्वारा होता है, जो कुख्यात ओमीसाइट फाइटोफ्थोरा इंफेस्टन्स द्वारा उत्प्रेरित बीमारी है। जबकि लक्षण अच्छे से ज्ञात थे, पुनरावर्ती संक्रमण का स्रोत गहन बहस का विषय बना रहा। पश्चिम बंगाल राज्य विश्वविद्यालय (बराकपुर) के वनस्पति विज्ञान विभाग के प्रोफेसर संजय गुहा रॉय द्वारा किए गए एक क्रांतिकारी अध्ययन ने अंततः दोषी को बेनकाब कर दिया है। प्रतिष्ठित जर्नल फाइटोपैथोलॉजी में प्रकाशित—अमेरिकन फाइटोपैथोलॉजिकल सोसाइटी का शताब्दी पुराना प्रमुख प्रकाशन—यह शोध बीमारियों के प्राथमिक भंडार के रूप में आलू के बीजों की पहचान करता है। विशेष रूप से, अध्ययन में यह खुलासा किया गया है कि यहां तक कि “उच्...
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