Comparison between potato cultivars grown in Malta

Abstract

Surely the aim of every business is to use all the possibilities and facilities to get the best income possible. This dissertation gives a brief account of how potato was and still is important in Malta, for the Maltese farmer and also economically. This also provides a detailed description of the production of potatoes on the Maltese Islands. Eight potato varieties which are commonly grown in Malta were chosen and compared among each other to point out the strengths and weaknesses of certain varieties. The case study was which varieties to choose to have the best yield and therefore the best income. That was an overview of the project. In chapter 2 it emphasises on the cultivation of potatoes. It provides a very detailed account of how the cultivation has to be done. Primarily how the seeds are treated and come here free from any diseases with all the necessary certificates. A description of the sowing and chitting processes is also given. The preparation of land is also very important and the exact uses of fertilizers are also given in detail. Irrigation and pesticides are also essential and therefore it provides detailed tables and lists of all the necessary check-ups one has to do to see if the process is running well. Diseases cannot be left out and therefore they are included too but emphasises only on the two most common that hit the Maltese Islands and gives also a list of pesticides to treat them. The traditional cultivars are also mentioned and how seeds arrive in Malta is mentioned too. In chapter 3 eight potato varieties are listed with all their characteristics. The information was brought from Ta' Qali where some questions were asked to a local potato importer and exporter. In the next two chapters there is the comparison between the varieties. To do this the help of a fanner was asked. Some trials were done and compared the results together and then saw which varieties have the more potential. Concluding, the result was, which are the best varieties, one can choose and finally the goal of this project was reached.