Currently potato is the most popular vegetable in Bangladesh.

Potatoes are popular in winter and summer vegetables. Because potato production and preservation is much easier than other vegetables. And it is easily acceptable to the rich people, middle class and low income due to availability. In bangladesh it is known as "Alu" (Potato).

INTRODUCTION

Potato is a cool-season vegetable that ranks
with wheat and rice as one of the most important staple crops in the human diet around the world. The English word potato comes from Spanish patata (the name used in Spain). The Spanish Royal Academy says the Spanish word is a compound of the Taíno batata and the Quechua papa (potato). The name potato originally referred to a type of sweet potato although the two plants are not closely related; in many of the chronicles detailing agriculture and plants, no distinction is made between the two. It?s Binomial name is Solanum tuberosum.

Classification of the Potato

Solanum is the largest genus in the Solanaceae Family with an estimated 1,400 species. It is also one of the largest genera of flowering plants. Below are the classifications of the potato, and two phylogenetic trees.

Domain: Eukarya – Organisms with membrane-bound organelles and a true nucleus.

Kingdom: Plantae – Plants

Phylum: Anthophyta – Flowering Plants

Subkingdom: Tracheobionta – Vascular plants

Superdivision: Spermatophyta – Seed plants

Division: Magnoliophyta – Flowering plants

Class: Magnoliopsida – Dicotyledons

Subclass: Asteridae

Order: Solanales

Family: Solanaceae – Potato family

Genus: Solanum – Nightshade

Species: Solanum tuberosum

Common names: Potato, Tater, Spud, Tuber

The white potato is referred to as the "Irish potato" because it is associated with the potato famine in Ireland in the 19th century. Potatoes are not roots but specialized underground storage stems called "tubers." Maximal tuber formation occurs at soil temperatures between 60° and 70°F. The tubers fail to form when the soil temperature reaches 80°F. Potatoes withstand light frosts in the spring and can be grown throughout most of the country in the cooler part of the growing season, but they prefer the northern tier of states for maximal yield and quality

Potato Plants



Flowers of a Potato Plant

Potatoes are among the earliest vegetables planted in the garden. Early, midseason and late varieties all may be planted in March or early April. Planting too early in damp, cold soils makes it more likely that seed pieces rot before they can grow. Potatoes planted in March also may be frozen back to the ground by late frosts. Plants usually recover fully, but the blackened shoots are always demoralizing to the gardener. Medium-early plantings, when soils have dried and warmed, may do as well as extremely early, winter-defying plantings. Midseason and late varieties may be planted as late as the first of July. Late potatoes are best for winter storage.

As the potato plants become mature and the tubers are fully formed, the leaves become gradually yellowish and then brownish, and finally the plants die. It is always better to harvest the crop after these signs are evident in the field. Most varieties are harvested in this country during February-March. Collection of the tubers is usually done in Bangladesh manually using a spade or other devices. In volume of fresh product, the potato ranks first among the world's most important food crops. It is grown in almost all countries of the world. In many countries, including those of Europe, America, and Canada, potato is the staple food. Nearly 90% of the potato crop of the world is grown in Europe. In the last 2-3 decades, production of potato in Bangladesh has increased with the cultivation of high yielding varieties. Although the growing conditions are excellent, because of lack of desirable market, farmers do not like to grow more potatoes. Only a negligible portion of the total production is exported, while a substantial amount of seed potatoes are still imported.

In Bangladesh, potato is primarily used as a vegetable, although in many countries of the world it constitutes the staple food and contributes more than 90% of the carbohydrate food source. In Bangladesh, although the principal use of potatoes is to make potato curry along with fish, meat, and eggs, there exists a great diversity in the consumption of potatoes. Notable among potato-basedfood items are the boiled potato, fried potato, mashed potato, baked potato, potato chop, potato vegetable mix, potato singara, potato chips, French fry etc. In recent years, bakeries and fast food shops have started preparing a wide variety of potato-based dishes.

Success Story Of Akhter Hossain

Farmers harvest potatoes in the Chuadanga District of Bangladesh. Photo by Md.Arif Hossain


Akhter Hossain, a 46-year-old married father of three in the Chuadanga District, is one of them. He estimates that about 40 percent of the farmers in his area are engaged in potato cultivation, along with growing other cash crops.

He has 5 bigha (1.67 acre) of arable land, where he grows rice, corn and potato. About half of his holdings 2.5 bigha (0.835 acre) are devoted to potato production.

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3.2 Line Graph of potato production and Area from fiscal year 1970-01 to 2014-15

Line Graph of Potato average yield reat from fiscal year 1970-01 to 2014-15

Incredible Benefits Of Potatoes

Potatoes Nutrition Facts

The reason potatoes have spread across the globe so quickly and have been so widely accepted is because they are a storehouse of energy and nutrition, including vitamins, minerals, and essential organic compounds.

Vitamin Content:

Potatoes are known for the large amounts of vitamin C present in them. Typically, a 100 gm serving will contain about 17 mg of vitamin C. In addition to this, they also contain vitamin A, vitamin B, and vitamin P.

Mineral Content:

If you eat potatoes regularly, you ensure a good supply of water and ions in your body. This is because they are rich in potassium. The concentration is highest in the skin and just beneath it. So, eating the potato with its skin is always beneficial. They also contain calcium, iron, and phosphorus.

Water Content:

Potatoes may look huge, but water accounts for about 70-80 percent of their weight. So the belief that you become fat by eating potatoes is a misconception. Of course, if your potato servings contain large quantities of butter, or if you can’t keep away from those high-fat and high-cholesterol french fries, then you are bound to become overweight.

Starch Content:

Potatoes contain about 17% starch and they are one of the best natural sources. However, you should avoid eating sprouted potatoes as sprouting leads to the conversion of starch into sugar.

Health Benefits Of Potatoes

Promote Weight Gain

Potatoes are primarily made of carbohydrates and contain very little protein. This makes them an ideal diet for lean and thin people who desperately want to put on weight. The vitamin content includes vitamin C and B-complex, which also help in proper absorption of carbohydrates. That is one of the reasons that potatoes make up a large part of the diet of sumo wrestlers, as well as many other athletes who need large energy reserves in order to compete!

Easy to Digest

Since potatoes predominantly contain carbohydrates, they are easy to digest and they also facilitate digestion. This property makes them a good diet for babies or for those who cannot digest hard food, but need energy. However, remember that eating too many of them on a regular basis may cause acidity over time. Potatoes also contain a considerable amount of fiber or roughage, which is more in raw potatoes and cold ones than boiled or hot ones. This stimulates peristaltic motion and increases secretion of gastric juices, which eases digestion and prevents conditions like constipation while protecting the body from serious conditions like colorectal cancer. Fiber is also connected with scraping cholesterol out of the arteries and blood vessels, thereby improving heart health.

Skin Care

Vitamin C and B-complex, as well as minerals like potassium, magnesium, phosphorus, and zinc, are good for the skin. Apart from that, the pulp obtained from crushed raw potatoes, when mixed with honey, can work well in skin and face packs. This even helps cure pimples and spots on the skin. Again, this pulp, if applied externally on burns, provides quick relief and faster healing. Smashed potatoes and even water in which they have been washed are very good for softening and cleaning dark skin, especially around the elbows.

Treat Scurvy

The vitamin C present in potatoes can help prevent [6]this disease, caused by a deficiency of vitamin C. It is characterized by cracked lip corners, spongy and bleeding gums, and frequent viral infections. Although it is not found in first and second world countries as they have a ready access to vitamin C, it still exists in certain nations of the world, so the prolific presence of potatoes helps with this problem.

Treat Rheumatism

There are two parts to the effect of potatoes on this condition. Vitamins like calcium and magnesium help provide relief from rheumatism. Also, water obtained from boiling potatoes can relieve the pain and inflammation of rheumatism. However, due to high starch and carbohydrate content, they tend to increase body weight which may have adverse effects on rheumatic people.

Reduce Inflammation

Potatoes are very effective in reducing [8] inflammation, both internal and external. Since they are soft, easily digested, and have a lot of vitamin C (a very good antioxidant that repairs tissue wear and tear), potassium, and vitamin B6, they can relieve any inflammation in the intestines and the digestive system. They are a very good dietary element for those who have mouth ulcers as well. Therefore, people who suffer from arthritis and gout can use potatoes for their anti-inflammatory impact. However, potatoes can add to weight gain, which exacerbates these conditions, and are commonly eaten with meat and other rich foods that make gout worse, a fine balance must be struck.

Prevent Cancer

Certain types of potatoes, particularly red and russet ones, contain high levels of flavonoid antioxidants and vitamin A, like zeaxanthin and carotenes, and they can protect you against many types of cancer. Also, a study at the Agricultural Research has shown that potatoes contain a compound called quercetin, which has been proven to have anti-cancer and anti-tumor properties. Finally, the high levels of vitamin A and C, both have antioxidant properties that can protect your body from the devastating effects of cancer.

Lower Blood Pressure

Since high blood pressure can occur for a number of reasons that include diabetes, tension, indigestion, nutrient balance, diet, and many others, different treatments are required. Luckily, potatoes can alleviate multiple possible causes and can be used to relieve high blood pressure due to tension. They can also treat indigestion due to an abundance of vitamin C and fiber within, but they should be avoided if the high blood pressure is a result of diabetes. The fiber present in them is helpful in lowering cholesterol and improving the functioning of insulin in the body, which aids in the lowering of blood pressure. This is because there is a direct relationship between blood pressure and the glucose level in the blood; insulin helps regulate that glucose level. Furthermore, the potassium found in potatoes (46% of daily requirement per serving) lowers blood pressure, since it functions as a vasodilator.

Proper Functioning of Brain

Proper functioning of the brain depends largely on the glucose level, oxygen supply, various components of the vitamin-B complex, and certain hormones, amino acids and fatty acids like omega-3. Potatoes cater to almost all the needs mentioned above. They are high in carbohydrates, and thereby maintain good levels of glucose in the blood. This prevents the brain from letting fatigue creep in and it keeps your cognitive activity and performance high. Next, the brain needs oxygen, which is carried by the hemoglobin in the blood; its main constituent is iron.

Potatoes contain iron as well. Therefore, they help deliver oxygen to the brain as well. There are a wide variety of vitamins and minerals in potatoes that positively affect the function of the brain, including phosphorus, zinc, and the B complex vitamins. The vasodilating properties of potassium have also been connected to stimulation of brain function due to increased blood flow to it.

Prevent Heart Diseases

Apart from the vitamins (B-complex and C), minerals, and roughage, potatoes also contain certain substances called carotenoids (lutein and zeaxanthin). Carotenoids are beneficial for heart health and the functioning of other internal organs. Again, since potatoes raise the glucose level in the blood and their over-consumption may cause obesity, which puts pressure on your heart, you must be careful about how often you use potatoes for this health benefit. This method of preventing heart diseases is not recommended for obese people or diabetics.

Treat Kidney Stones

Kidney stones, also known as renal calculi, are caused mainly due to increased levels of uric acid in the blood. In such cases, foods high in protein should be avoided, particularly animal proteins such as meat, turkey, shrimp, fish, eggs, and milk, as well as spinach, raw plantain, black grams, and certain beans, which drastically increase the level of uric acid in the blood. Iron and calcium also contribute to the formation of stones. Potatoes are rich in both of these so logically, they wouldn’t fit in as a preventative measure for kidney stones, but they also contain magnesium, which inhibits the accumulation or deposition of calcium (calcification) in the kidney and other tissues, thereby proving beneficial for the treatment of renal calculi.

Treat Diarrhea

Potatoes are an excellent component of an energy-rich diet for those suffering from diarrhea since they are easy to digest and contain mild roughage. However, eating too many potatoes can cause diarrhea due to the excessive ingestion of starch.

Other Benefits

Potato juice is a good treatment for burns, bruises, sprains, skin problems, ulcers, effects caused by narcotics, prostate cancer, uterine cancer, and the formation of cysts or tumors.

Word of Caution: It is also important to keep a check on the consumption of potatoes. Green potatoes are often poisonous, and so are potato leaves and fruits, as they contain alkaloids like solanine, chaconine, and arsenic. An overdose of those chemicals could easily prove fatal. Moreover, the glycemic index (in simple words, the energy or sugar content) of potatoes is very high (above 80), so people who are obese, trying to lose weight or suffering from diabetes should avoid eating potatoes. If eaten, potatoes are healthier when baked, rather than raw or fried.

However, don’t worry; these health risks affect only a small part of the population. If you are fine and healthy, don’t forget that a bit of fat is not bad for you; it’s actually beneficial. Don’t be afraid to enjoy some potato chips and french-fries while watching TV. You won’t become a couch potato if you eat in moderation!

Tips To Reduce Loss Of Nutrients In Potato

Here are some tips that will help you in reducing the loss of potato nutrients:

1. Avoid peeling the potatoes before cooking them. The outer shell provides a good protection against nutritional loss during the cooking process. The protein and mineral content beneath the skin is very high, so if you cook them after peeling them, most of these proteins and minerals will be lost.

2. When you boil potatoes, first heat the water to its boiling point and then add them. This will reduce cooking time and help you maintain the vitamin C content.

3. Minimize frying of potatoes, as 75% of vitamin C is lost during frying. You can use other cooking methods such as baking and steam cooking.

I like potatoes very much. Especially the potato parata. On a delicious note, have you ever tried barbecue roasted potatoes? Go and grab some!

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