FIPS Africa is showcasing learning on extending the productive life of potato mother plants at the World Potato Congress 2026 in Naivasha, Kenya, from 26 to 30 Oct.
Our poster, Unlocking year-round production of high-quality PRACs, addresses a challenge facing nurseries: maintaining a consistent supply of quality Potato Rooted Apical Cuttings (PRACs). Without appropriate management, mother plants can become less suitable for producing productive cuttings and require replacement after about three months.
The poster explores how shading, regular cutting and gibberellin treatments can help maintain mother plants in their juvenile form. It combines nursery trial findings with a proposed physiological explanation that remains under investigation.
Under the management approach described, mother plants remained productive for up to 12 months, with Wanjiku producing up to 77 quality cuttings per mother plant. The poster also highlights the importance of appropriate field management for these cuttings to achieve their yield potential.
For FIPS Africa, improving nursery production supports a wider system: reliable supplies of starter material for Decentralised Seed Multipliers, viable local seed enterprises and better access to quality seed potatoes for farmers. We are sharing and adapting this learning with partners in Kenya, Tanzania, Burundi and Madagascar.
Explore the poster and meet our team at the congress to discuss nursery management, practical learning and partnerships for stronger potato seed systems.
