Potato (Solanum tuberosum) is a highland plant. However, some varieties of potatoes can be grown in the lowlands. Potatoes are still a rare commodity on the island of Wetar. Potatoes imported from the island of Java, though the price is expensive. Our farmers want to plant potatoes in Wetar. Before plant in their garden, we must test them in experimental gardens of PT Batutua.
We bought 3 varieties of potatoes, named Granola Lembang, Granola s Australia and granola kembang kuning. We planted the potatoes under protection of paranet to reduce sunshine intensity. We mixed compost and chicken manure in 3 beds than plant the potatoes in those beds.
Potatoes planted on June 17, 2012 and harvested on September 4, 2012. We dev divided potatoes bulb into three grades, namely the large and given the quality grade A, grade B given medium, small defects and bulbous given grade C. Average weight per tree for the three varieties was 0.41 kg / tree. When viewed per variety, the average weight for Granola perpohon Purple Flower bulbs have a heavier (0.56 kg / tree), followed by granola Lembang (0.40 kg / tree) and the last Granola Australia (0.32 Kg / tree). Based on these data, the best results the first harvest of potatoes in the garden is an example of Purple Flower Potato Granola, second best and third best Lembang Granola Granola Australia.
Taste test conducted by Pak Rizal from the kitchen BTR and Ibu Mia Soenan, Comdev manager. Test results showed that the fries taste more savory and fresh compared to potatoes imported via Kupang, NTT. These potatoes are crisp and well liked by some people who come to enjoy the fries. Therefore, in the future Comdev will try once again to plant potatoes in the garden experiment and if the results are good then the next will be recommended for planting in the garden farmers under the monitoring and evaluation of Comdev BTR.