Trujillo farmers reduce the use of agrochemicals in potato cultivation by planting the María Bonita, Andinita and Dorinia varieties

Abstract

The cultivation of the potato Solanum tuberosum L. constitutes one of the main agricultural activities in the state of Trujillo, such that the region stands out in national agriculture as one of the four large potato-producing states along with Mérida, Táchira and Lara.

It is estimated that nearly 4,000 farmers in the state are dedicated to potato production, located at altitudes greater than 1,000 meters above sea level; with production units ranging from 0.5 to 3 hectares. Traditionally, farmers have planted the Granola variety on all floors, despite its limitations in terms of yield on high floors and its great susceptibility to the incidence of late candelilla, burning or burning caused by Phytophthora infestans De Bary.