Management of the yield and radiological quality of potatoes cultivated by population on radioactive contaminated land of Belarus

The involvement of rural inhabitants in processes of self-rehabilitation and self-development could be considered as a way to improve the quality life on radioactive contaminated territory after Chernobyl accident. The results of the application of experimental technology for potato cultivation on radioactive contaminated land developed by participants in cooperation with scientists are described. The potato yield in experiment was higher on 13-27 t.ha-1 or in 1.6 times than on control plots. The 137Cs content in potatoes in experiment was lower on 20-30% than in control plots and lower than republican permissible level of radionuclide content. The 1 EURO invested to the potato experiment provided 2.0 EURO of net return. Therefore the management of yield and radiological quality of potatoes cultivated on private contaminated plots allowed to reduce of irradiation dose on rural inhabitants and to increase the outcome of their family. (orig.)