Osttiroler Kartoffel

 
Record Number: 94
 
Disclosure Date
Around 1775 first evidence of potato growing in East Tyrol.
 
 

Photo: BMLFUW/A...

Title
Osttiroler Kartoffel
(East Tyrolean Potatoes) 
 
 
 
 
 
Abstract or claim
For centuries traditional cultivation of potatoes in East Tyrol.Specific conditions of soils and climate in the region in combination with the selection of potato varieties, cultivation methods, state of ripeness at harvest, and specific storage conditions contribute to potatoes of high quality.
 
Name of product, Product class
Potato, vegetable
 
Name of region
East Tyrol, Austria
 
Field of search
Food and Agriculture
 
Name of information provider
District Chamber of Agriculture Lienz
Franz Klocker
 
Name of applicant for title
---
 
Holder of knowledge or associated resources
About 170 farmers in the political district Lienz/East Tyrol
 
Grantee(s), holder(s), assignee(s) or owner(s) of title, if any
---
 
Descriptors
- History:
The potato species evolved in the Andes and was probably first cultivated in Peru some 7,000 years ago. In 1536 the Conquistador Pizarro brought potatoes from South America to Spain from where they were spread across Europe.
 
It is assumed that in 1620 monks cultivated potatoes in the garden of the monastery Seitenstetten (Mostviertel, Lower Austria) for the first time.
 
Empress Maria Theresia (1740-1780) commanded the cultivation of potatoes in Pyrhabruck, a village in the Waldviertel in Lower Austria.
 
The growing importance of potatoes as food is demonstrated by the War of the Bavarian Succession (1778-1779), also called ‘Potato War’, where Prussian and Austrian troops dug up the enemy’s potatoes to deny food-supplies to the enemy.
 
Around 1775 salesmen and migratory workers brought the first potato tubers from the south to East Tyrol. As early as in 1814 potato growing was mentioned in a clerk’s document.
 
In the first years of growing the potatoes were mainly used for feeding hogs. However, in the 18^th  and 19^th  century potatoes made their way to the farm households of East Tyrol.  Potatoes were mainly produced for self-supply and, gradually, replaced traditional vegetables like lentils, peas and beans.
 
In the middle of the 19^th  century the potato blight disease caused by Phytophthora infestans destroyed large parts of the potato production. In 1874 the Colorado beetle became a major pest in European potato plants. However, these two calamities triggered the breeding of resistant varieties and led to improvements in plant protection and cultivation techniques. 
 
Since the 1930s potatoes have been cultivated in the floor of the Lienz Valley. In the 1960s the growing of seed potatoes was launched and a
joint storehouse for seed potatoes was built.
 
In 2008 a central, fully air-conditioned storehouse for potato boxes was opened in the municipality of Dölsach, the so-called RGO (Raiffeisen Genossenschaft Osttirol) Saatbauzentrum.
 
 
 
- Region:
East Tyrol is an exclave of the Austrian Federal Province of Tyrol, sharing no border with North Tyrol, the main part of the Province. In Austria, East Tyrol borders Carinthia and Salzburg and shares borders with the Italian regions of Trentino-South Tyrol and Veneto. The district of Lienz is the only one in East Tyrol. Its capital is Lienz.
 
East Tyrol is dominated by the Hohe Tauern mountain range, which includes Austria’s highest mountains (241 peaks over 3000 m are to be found in East Tyrol).
 
About half of East Tyrol is situated 2,000 m above sea level. Alpine and mountainous pastures covering large parts of the area. About 9.1% are used for agriculture.
 
Potatoes are mainly cultivated in the floor of the Lienz Valley at about 650-750m above sea level.
 
Climate and soil conditions:
The inner-alpine climate is harsh and dry, the annual precipitation ranges between 844 and 1,144 mm with maximum in August, minimum between January and February.
The region is characterized by many hours of sunshine and great variations in temperature between night and day.
 
The average annual temperature is 6.9 °C, the average monthly temperature ranges between -5.8 °C in January and 18.2 °C in July.
Microclimatic conditions are very different in the Lienzer Talboden (valley floor), the harsh Tauern valleys and the precipitation-rich Gail valley.
 
East Tyrol has complex geological patterns (lime, primary rocks, dolomite, metamorphic rocks of the “Tauernfenster”).
These components, together with different altitudes and climatic conditions, result in a high local biodiversity of native alpine plants and herbs.
 
Light soils (loamy sandy soil) in the region provide optimal conditions for the cultivation of potatoes of premium quality.
 
- Osttiroler Kartoffel (East Tyrolean Potato):
The specific soil and climate conditions of the region widely prevent the
occurrence of potato pests and diseases.
Rough night temperatures provide for slow growing conditions which result in potatoes of high quality and specific taste.
 
Method of Production:
Seeds:
East Tyrolean potatoes are tuberous crops from the perennial crop Solanum tuberosum L., family Solanaceae.
 
Today’s mainly grown potato varieties are Ditta, Innovator, Agria, Krone, Bettina, Agata, Ostara, Ukama, Bionta, Sigma, and Villgrater Kartoffel.
 
Seed potatoes mainly stem from the Province Lower Austria.
 
Soils and fertilization:
East Tyrolean potatoes are exclusively cultivated on fields listed in a farmer’s acreage index, which ensures traceability to the field.
Soils for potato cultivation have to be optimal in nutrient supply. Therefore, soil analyses have to be undertaken on a quadrennial basis. They are the basis for the targeted application of fertilizers.
Moreover, soils are checked for the occurrence of harmful soil nematode regularly.
 
Fertilization is only permitted if justified. Fertilization is subject to the requirements of the Austrian Agri-environmental Programme (ÖPUL). It has to be documented in the acreage index.
The application of sewage sludge is strictly banned
 
About one third of the farmers produce potatoes under the organic scheme.
 
Crop rotation:
Quadrennial crop rotation is necessary in order to largely prevent diseases or pest specific to potatoes.
Crop rotation encompasses potatoes, grass clover, cereals like Triticale and maize as well as temporary grassland.
 
Cultivation:
East Tyrolean potatoes are planted in spring, mostly at the beginning-of May till the beginning of June. Farmers take the phases of the moon and the signs of the zodiac into consideration when determining the best date for potato laying. 
 
The tubers are conditioned to ensure efficient budding after planting.
While being laid into the soil machines are used to treat the potatoes also against pests.
 
After soils have warmed-up sufficiently, furrow forming, planting of the tubers and covering up by ploughing is mostly done in one production step. The distance between furrows is about 75 cm. Depending on the variety, 40,000 plants are cultivated per hectare.
Yield is about 30 tonnes per hectare.
 
To some extent potatoes are still laid manually. In that case furrows are formed using special rakes (so-called “Eadepflkrotza”). Then the tubers are put into holes of 10 cm which were made at distances of 20 – 30 cm using mattocks. The individual potatoes are laid step by step, at a distance of about 30 cm. This method is also called “Kartoffelstecken” (dibbling of potatoes).
 
Weeds are whacked. The plants are earthed up when they reach a height of about 20 cm.
 
At present about 170 farmers grow potatoes on an area of 79 hectares in East Tyrol.
On 50 hectares 35 farmers produce seed potatoes for Raiffeisengenossenschaft Osttirol (RGO).
Table potatoes are mainly produced for direct marketing and personal needs. The annual yield of table potatoes in East Tyrol is about 1000 tonnes.
 
Plant protection measures:
The requirements of the Austrian Agri-environment Programme (ÖPUL) apply to East Tyrolean potatoes.
Only pesticides which are permitted according to the guidelines of the AMA Seal of Quality may be used.
 
Irrigation:
There is sufficient natural precipitation in the region. Only one farmer in the region irrigates fields every now and then.
 
Harvesting, grading and storage:

Photo: BMLFUW/Rita Newman

East Tyrolean potatoesare harvested, graded and stored exclusively in the region of East Tyrol
Thus the mixing of potatoes originating from other regions is prevented and traceability is ensured.
 
After a growing period of 90 to 100 days the potato varieties are harvested separately, either mechanically or manually.
This is done from mid-September till end-October when weather and soil conditions are favourable. Moreover, the waning moon is taken into consideration.
For drying purposes potatoes remain on the field for up to half a day in a shadowy environment, if possible. Finally, they are stored on the day of harvest.
High priority is attached to the gentle handling of the potato tuber.
 
Potatoes are stored in soil cellars of the farms or in the cooperative storehouse of RGO in Dölsach (about 50 farmers). The computer controlled storehouse has a capacity of 2,000 tonnes.
 
For traceability purposes potatoes are stored in wooden boxes which are labelled with the name of the producer, the harvesting and delivery date and the name of the potato variety.
 
Storage temperatures of 4 -6 °C and green light prevent potatoes from budding and green discolouration. It is necessary to cool and aerate the potatoes for at least 3 weeks in order to avoid decline in quality.
Potatoes are graded manually according to size, appearance and quality and then are brushed to remove attached dry earth.
 
Potatoes are packed in units of 1 kg to 50 kg.
 
Proof of origin:
East Tyrolean Potatoes are clearly traceable from field to retail.
 
- Quality:
In retail East Tyrolean Potatoes have to fulfil the criteria of quality class I as provided for in the “Österreichischen Verordnung über Qualitätsklassen für Speisekartoffeln” (Austrian Ordinance about quality classes for table potatoes).
 
- Quality control:
The production of East Tyrolean Potatoes is subject to the requirements of the Austrian Agri-environmental Programme (ÖPUL). Table potatoes are also subject to the requirements of the AMA Quality Seal.
 
The AMA Quality Seal fulfils the criteria of Global GAP for farmers in Austria. Certified packaging companies, processors and traders apply the International Food Standard (IFS).
 
To ensure excellent quality farmers and members of the Chamber of Agriculture carry out regular controls and soil tests already on the field.
In addition, potatoes are tested for virus diseases by AGES (Austria Agency for Food Safety) in Linz.
 
- Marketing:
East Tyrolean table potatoes are marketed in the region. They are available in small retail shops and only in autumn. Moreover, they are marketed to the regional gastronomy.
Seed potatoes, on the contrary, are marketed across Austria.
 
Connection with the geographic area and Traditional Knowledge
- Specific soil and climatic conditions inhibit the development of potato
  pests and diseases and provide for the particularly slow growing of
  premium potatoes.
- East Tyrolean Potatoes include several varieties which are adapted
  to the local environment.
- Production methods and specific geographical conditions allow for
  the production of potatoes with specific characteristics as to taste.
- The production of East Tyrolean potatoesis the result of Traditional
  Knowledge passed on from generation to generation: the Traditional
  Knowledge and expertise of potato farmers (adaptation of the method
  of production to environmental constraints, genetic improvement,
  cultivation and storage methods) and the expertise of wholesale buyers
  and retail sellers in marketing.
 
- Utilization:
Traditional Austrian dishes based on potatoes are “Osttiroler Schlipfkrapfen” (East Tyrolean dumplings filled with potatoes) (LINK), “Eabianroasn” (a kind of rösti), “Tiroler Gröstl” (Tyrolean roast meat and potatoes), “Schölfeler” (boiled potatoes with butter), fine potato gratin and potato goulash.
 
- Protection:
-
 
Key Words
Food and Agriculture, Traditional Knowledge, Austria, Tyrol, East Tyrol, region, vegetable, potato, Osttiroler Kartoffel, East Tyrolean potato
 
Bibliography / References
- 241 Dreitausender in Osttirol
  http://www.lienz.com/bergrettunglienz/bergwelt/3000er_ot.htm  
- Auszeichnung Genuss Region „Osttiroler Kartoffel“
  http://www.ainet.gv.at/news.asp?Job=read&newsID=1637  
- Bezirk Lienz
  http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osttirol  
- Die Vielfalt der "Oskar-Familie"!
  www.rgo.at  
- Dr. Brigitte Vogl-Lukasser , Univ. Prof. Dr. Christian R. Vogl
  Peter Blauensteiner ; Erfahrungswissen über Lokalsorten traditioneller
  Kulturarten in Osttirol März 2006 
- Genuss-Auszeichnung für "Kartoffel-reiches" Tirol
  http://www.pressetext.eu/pte.mc?pte=080509010  
- Osttiroler Kartoffel
  www.genuss-region.at
- Raiffeisengenossenschaft Osttirol
  http://www.osttirol-online.at/news/index.php?we_objectID=17047&we_objectTID=98
- Regionale Lebensmittel
  http://www.lebensmittel-osttirol.at
- TASCHEE S. J. Im Namen der Kartoffel. In: Genuss
  Spezialitäten.pur. Herbst 2008. S. 12-15.
- Tiroler Kulturpflanzen- Die Geschichte der Kulturpflanzen
  http://www.nas.boku.ac.at/fileadmin/_/H93/H933/Personen/Vogl/PDF_Gene_Save_Tiroler_Kulturpflanzen_Gruenes_Tirol_Teil_1_2007.pdf - Zöllner E., Geschichte Österreichs. Von den Anfängen bis zur  
  Gegenwart, Oldenbourg Wissenschaftsverlag 1990. S. 99
  "Oskar" - die Osttiroler Kartoffel!
  www.rgo.at
 
All internet references last accessed on July 17^th , 2009.
 
Language Code
German
 
Product of www.genuss-region.at
Yes
 
Regional contact
District Chamber of Agriculture Lienz
Franz Klocker
Josef-Schraffl Straße 2
A-9900 Lienz
Phone: 059292 2605
E-mail: Franz.Klocker@lk-tirol.at
  
Authors: Mag. Eva Sommer, Dr. Erhard Höbaus
 

11.11.2011, Lebensministerium III/4