Zhodnocení dlouhodobého vývoje produkce a užití brambor na území České republiky

Kristýna Učíková

Bachelor's thesis

Evaluation of long-term development of potato production and using on the teritory of Czech Republic

Abstract:

The aim of the thesis is to compile a literature research focused on the characteristicsof individual utilitarian trends of potatoes and their importance, to the evaluation of the longtermdevelopment and application of potatoes in the Czech Republic,and to assess the currentsituation of Czech potato growing and its prospects. The first chapter focuses mainly on theimportance of potatoes, which are substantial in human nutrition as they contain a variety ofnutritionally important substances such as vitamins (mainly vitamin C), minerals (potassiumis the most important), carbohydrates and proteins. Antioxidants in potatoes that inhibit andreduce diseases which affect arteries and inhibit cholesterol accumulation, are also important.However, potatoes also contain unfavorable substances such as glycoalkaloides which aretoxic, but the content in the tubers is normally low with no adverse effect on the safety offood. Further, there are nitrates but they aren´t toxic in normal amounts. Also, some heavymetals may appear. Potatoes also have high economic importance. They are mainly used as a raw product but also for processing into products, for feeding purposes and for the productionof starch and alcohol.The next chapter deals with the long-term development and production of potatoes inthe Czech Republic and I have come to the following conclusions: potato growing in theCzech Republic has a great tradition. At the beginning of the last century, potatoes were verypopular and widespread, but over time their production declined. The production reached itspeak between the two world wars when the annual production was around 9 million tons.After World War II there was a decrease in potato growing areas, because it gradually stoppedbeing used for feeding purposes and for alcohol production.In addition, potato consumptionby humans also decreased (from about 140 kg in 1950 to 80 kg in 1990). In the 60s the annualproduction was 4 million tons whereas in the 80sit went down to 2,5 million tons. Thediminution of potato growing areas continued in the 90s and current production only amountsto 600-800 thousand tons. The average yield per hectare keeps increasing (with slightfluctuations)but it´s still below the level of other developed countries when compared.The main causes of area diminution and production since the 90s are: decline inhuman consumption which is currently at 65-70 kg per person and year. Decrease in starchproduction. Also, maize growing areas are now preferred to the potato growing ones. Rise inimports due to lack of competitiveness of western European countries in potato production.A new situation has occurred in the Czech Republic recently- we weren´t selfsufficientin potato production in most of past years. Therefore, potatoes for starch production7and, since 2015 ware potatoes, are included among the so-called sensitive commodities andtheir production is subsidized. I came to the conclusion thatit´s unrealistic to substantiallyexpand the potato growing areas in the Czech Republic, so the main goal in current situationshould be to gradually increase revenues in the form of growing yield per hectare.

Keywords

krmné, průmyslové a sadbové brambory, význam pěstování, perspektivy v ČR, konzumní

Keywords

ware potatoes, feed, seed, forprocessing into starch and alcohol, characteristics, secular trend cultivation in the Czech Republic, current production

Language used: Czech

Date on which the thesis was submitted / produced: 15. 4. 2016

Thesis defence

• Supervisor: prof. Ing. Karel Hamouz, CSc.

Czech University of Life Sciences Prague

Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources

Bachelor programme / field:
Public Administration in Agriculture and Landscape Management / Public Administration in Agriculture and Landscape