Field production of potatoes from true seed and its use in a breeding programme

Summary Potato crops, grown from true potato seed (TPS) sown directly into fields, required a long growing season and the yield, tuber size and quality were inferior to tuber-propagated crops. Some plants produced excellent yields of high-quality tubers and some lines had earliness, high yield capacity, uniform tuber type and high solids. Field sowing of TPS has good potential, both as a breeding tool and for potato production in long-season, underdeveloped countries where healthy seed tubers are not readily available. Correlation analyses showed positive relationships between seedling vigour, mature plant size, and number and yield of tubers but these growth parameters were not significantly related to tuber size and they had a strong negative relationship to density (specific gravity). Mention of a trade name of a company is for specific information only and does not constitute a guarantee or warranty of a product by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and does not imply its approval to the exclusion of other products that may also be suitable.