Measurement of cellular membrane thermostability to evaluate foliage heat tolerance of potato

Summary Cellular membrane thermostability of leaf tissue, measured by both leaching and direct conductivity, was used as an index for evaluating potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) leaf tolerance to high temperature. Experiments with eight genotypes showed that maximum differences between cultivars in response to temperature occurred at 52.5°C. The wide variability among the genotypes suggested that this index could be used to screen potato foliage for tolerance to heat. The results agreed well with visual scoring after exposing potted plants to 52.5°C. CPRI Publication No 854.     

Assessment of heat tolerance in potato (Solanum tuberosum ssp.tuberosum) under controlled environmental conditions: the ‘cutting technique’

Summary The ‘cutting technique’ or ‘tuberisation stimulus’ (TS) technique was investigated as a method of identifying heat tolerant clones ofSolanum tuberosum ssp.tuberosum. TS levels were assessed, using leaf cuttings, for 100 experimental clones growing under heat stress in a controlled environment (35/15°C day/night temperatures, 16 h photoperiod). No correlation was found with the tuber yields of these clones when grown in an irrigated trial in Israel. The relationship between TS levels and tuber production was investigated using early and later maturing cultivars grown with and without heat stress. These experiments showed that the cv. Blanka had high TS levels in all environments and high tuber fresh weights when grown under heat stress. However, the correlation between TS levels and tuber fresh weight for all cultivars was weak (r=0.45). The results indicated that this TS technique is unlikely to be an accurate method of screeningtuberosum clones for heat tolerance.     

Growth and distribution of maize roots under nitrogen fertilization in plinthite soil

To improve efficiency of soil N and water use in the savanna, maize (Zea mays L.) cultivars with improved root systems are required. Two rainfed field experiments were conducted in Samaru, Nigeria in the 1993 and 1994 growing seasons with five maize cultivars under various rates of nitrogen fertilizer. The capacity of maize for rapid early root growth and to later develop a deep, dense root system was assessed. In addition, the effect of N fertilization on root growth of maize was studied in 1994. The widely cultivated cultivar TZB-SR had a poor root system in the surface soil layer and was more susceptible to early-season drought, as indicated by low plant vigor and aboveground dry matter yield during that time. It had a lower grain yield and a relatively small harvest index, but ranked among the highest in total aboveground dry matter production compared to other cultivars. The size of root system alone did not always relate well with grain yield among cultivars. Partitioning of dry matter within the plant was important in determining differences in grain yield and N stress tolerance between cultivars. A semiprolific cultivar (SPL) had high seedling vigour and a dense root system in the surface soil layer that conferred a greater tolerance to early-season drought stress and improved uptake of the early-season N flush, as indicated by a greater dry matter yield at 35 days after sowing (DAS). It also had a fine, deep, dense root system at flowering that could have improved water- and N-use efficiency in the subsoil (> 45 cm), thereby avoiding midseason drought stress in 1994. SPL had a large harvest index and the greatest yield among cultivars in 1994. Averaged across cultivars, greater root growth and distribution was observed at a moderate N rate of 0.56 g plant⁻¹ than at zero-N or high N (2.26 g plant⁻¹). Differences in root morphology could be valuable as selection criteria for N-efficient and drought-tolerant maize.     

夏玉米冠层反射光谱与植株水分状况的关系

通过不同夏玉米品种生育期内冠层叶片含水率与不同波段组成的比值指数(RVI)和归一化植被指数(NDVI)进行线性、指数、对数、幂函数以及多项式回归分析,研究不同品种夏玉米的冠层叶片和植株水分状况与反射光谱之间的相关关系。结果表明,冠层叶片和植株含水率与460～670nm范围内波段反射率均成负相关,与730～1260nm范围内波段反射率均成正相关。其中冠层叶片含水率与460、500、600、650、670nm范围内波段反射率均呈显著相关,而植株含水率与460、500、600、650、670、780、800、850、900、950、1050nm范围内波段反射率相关性也较高。冠层叶片含水率与归一化植被指数(NDVI)相关性均达到极显著水平,与比值指数(RVI)相关性中只有RVI(950,550)、RVI(850,730)、RVI(800,730)和RVI(780,730)4个波段呈极显著正相关。RVI与叶片含水率相关性以RVI(850,730)最优,NDVI与叶片含水率相关性以NDVI(1050,550)最优。植株含水率也与RVI和NDVI呈正相关,相关性均较好,但NDVI优于RVI。RVI与植株含水率相关性以RVI(800,500)最优,决定系数为0.8490;NDVI与植株含水率相关性以NDVI(780,650)最优,决定系数为0.8645。     

Divergent selection for osmotic adjustment results in improved drought tolerance in maize (Zea mays L.) in both early growth and flowering phases

The value of the capacity for osmotic adjustment (OA) as a trait, which can contribute effectively to yield maintenance under drought, has not yet been established for maize (Zea mays L.) using cultivars of similar genetic background. Here we report results obtained using crops of two S4 populations derived from a cross between inbred lines exhibiting the highest and lowest capacities for osmotic adjustment in a screening applied to 20 inbred lines. The mean values of OA for the two S4 populations were 0.47 MPa for the high OA population (HOA) and 0.06 MPa for the low (LOA). Crops of these populations were grown under a rain-out shelter and subjected to 30-day droughts either before or during flowering. In both experiments, exposure to drought evoked a significant (p < 0.05) decrease in osmotic potential measured at full turgor in the HOA population, no change was found in the LOA population. This induced response became evident in plants of the HOA population in measurements effected 16–18 days after suspension of irrigation. Irrespective of the timing of drought, the HOA crops extracted significantly more water from deeper in the soil profile during the stress period, exhibited higher leaf area duration and attained greater grain yields and, in the crop droughted at flowering, greater harvest index than the LOA crops. The components of yield and their determinants (i.e., floret number per ear, grain set, grain number and weight per grain) exhibited differential responses with timing of the drought and in response to level of OA. Under irrigation, there were no differences between populations in either experiment in terms of yield and its components, or in harvest index, leaf area duration, or soil water extraction. We conclude that OA can contribute to drought tolerance in maize crops exposed to water deficit both before and during flowering, and that the trait carries no yield penalty under irrigation.     

Potato (Solanum spp.) in the hot tropics. VI. Plant population effects on soil temperature,plant development and tuber yield

Nine experiments were run at three hot tropical sites (5–12°S, 180–800 m) within Peru to quantify the influence of plant population on soil temperature and growth and yield of the potato.Radiation interception was greatest at the highest plant populations and soil cooling was directly proportional to the amount of crop cover over the soil, but no appreciable effect on the timing of tuber initiation was apparent. More stems per unit land area leading to a higher leaf area index (lai) were primarily responsible for greater interception of radiation at the higher plant populations, although some compensation in stem number per unit land area and in lai at lower populations was evident later in the season.In general, tuber yield increased linearly with increases in planted population over the range studied (2.7–12.5 plants m⁻², and in one experiment to 31.7 plants m⁻²), and was proportional to increases in the amount of intercepted radiation. Tuber yields ranged from 8 to 60 t ha⁻¹ over sites and populations. Vigorous clones with Solanum tuberosum spp. andigena in their genetic background constituted the exceptions to this linear trend, and for these clones yields declined at the highest populations, particularly when the rectangularity of planting vastly deviated from square patterns. Tuber yield of Solanum tuberosum spp. tuberosum and Neotuberosum (S. tuberosum spp. andigena selected for tuberization under long-day conditions) clones did not respond to variations in rectangularity of planting and, probably due to their small stature and early maturity, did not demonstrate signs of intense between-plant competition for tuber yield as measured with the Kira competition density index. In contrast, for clones with Solanum tuberosum ssp. andigena in their genetic background, maximum tuber yield at populations greater than 5.5 plants m⁻² was dependent on the rectangularity of planting, and declined as the latter deviated from squareness.Since the proportion of marketable tubers was scarcely affected by the planting densities, plant population of S. tuberosum ssp. tuberosum clones planted in hot climates should be as close as possible without limiting the amount of soil available for hilling-up.     

Consistent differences among wheat cultivars in osmotic adjustment and their relationship to plant production

Osmotic adjustment (OA) is generally considered an important component of drought resistance. Several reports by J.M. Morgan [Morgan, J.M., 1983. Osmoregulation as a selection criterion for drought tolerance in wheat. Aust. J. Agric. Res. 34, 607–614; 1992. Osmotic components and properties associated with genotypic differences in osmoregulation in wheat. Aust. J. Plant Physiol. 19, 67–76; 1995. Growth and yield of wheat lines with differing osmoregulative capacity at high soil water deficit in seasons of varying evaporative demand. Field Crops Res. 40, 143–152; Morgan, J.M., Condon, A.G., 1986. Water-use, grain yield and osmoregulation in wheat. Aust. J. Plant Physiol. 13, 523–532] from Australia concluded that consistent genetic differences in OA existed among wheat cultivars and that high OA cultivars tended to yield better than low OA cultivars under drought stress. Our study was performed to assess his results with his and other genetic materials.Two of Morgan’s spring wheat lines with high OA (‘H.Osm-134’) and low OA (‘L.Osm-136’) capacity in addition to eight other diverse spring wheat cultivars were tested for OA and plant production when grown in small plots under a rain exclusion shelter at Bet Dagan, Israel in 1996. OA of five of these cultivars (including Morgan’s lines) was also measured in two independent greenhouse tests in 1997 (Israel) and 1998 (Texas).The five cultivars differed significantly and ranked consistently for OA in all tests. No significant cultivar by test interaction for OA was revealed. OA was well correlated across cultivars between tests. The significantly higher OA capacity of H.Osm-134 as compared with L.Osm-136 was repeated in all tests. OA of all ten cultivars was positively correlated with biomass (r = 0.73; p = 0.02) and yield (r = 0.55; p = 0.09) under pre-flowering drought stress in the rain exclusion shelter. H.Osm-134 line performed significantly (p ≤ 0.05) better than L.Osm-136 line for both biomass and yield under drought stress. We therefore support Morgan’s results and conclude that consistent differences in OA exist among wheat cultivars and that these differences can be associated with plant production under pre-flowering drought stress.     

Moisture-deficit-induced changes in leaf-water content,leaf carbon exchange rate and biomass production in groundnut cultivars differing in specific leaf area

Field experiments were conducted during two rainy seasons to study the effect of soil moisture deficit on total biomass, pod yield, harvest index (HI) and drought tolerance index (DTI) in groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) cultivars possessing a wide range of specific leaf area (SLA, 144–241 cm² g⁻¹). There were three soil moisture regimes: adequate irrigation (W₁), drought simulated under rain-out-shelter (W₂) and rain-fed (W₃). This experiment had two parts, in one, five cultivars were exposed to W₁, W₂ and W₃, and in a second, seven cultivars were exposed to W₁ and W₃. Using the same set of seven cultivars, pot-culture experiments were conducted to study relative water content (RWC), stomatal conductance (g_s) and single leaf carbon exchange rate (CER) during increasing moisture-deficit in two contrasting (rainy and summer) seasons. Variation in DTI was significant, and low SLA types had greater DTI under both W₂ and W₃. The ranking of SLA among cultivars was consistent between experiments conducted during the two seasons. The rate of reduction in leaf RWC during the progressive moisture-deficit was related directly to SLA (r=0.78, P<0.01). The coefficient of determination of the slopes calculated between RWC and soil moisture during the experimental period was more in the summer (r²=0.82) than the rainy (r²=0.54) season.Under increasing moisture-deficit, the low SLA types were able to maintain higher RWC, CER and g_s in both seasons. The relationships between RWC and CER (r=0.91, P<0.01), and RWC and g_s (r=0.65, P<0.01) were significant.It is suggested that under water-limited conditions there is a significant inverse relationship between SLA and RWC. The low SLA types (water use efficient) were found to be drought tolerant in terms of total dry matter production in the field studies, and maintenance of higher RWC under drought like situations in pot-culture experiments. Thus the ability of the low SLA types (higher water use efficiency, WUE) to maintain higher RWC may form the basis for the differences in drought tolerance vis a vis WUE in groundnut cultivars differing in SLA. Suggestions are made to select parents for drought tolerance or WUE, and to initiate breeding to combine traits like high HI, and WUE in terms of lower SLA. Ultimately, selection for both WUE (measured in terms of SLA) and yield traits (HI) should result in cultivars with improved performance in rain-fed agriculture.     

Recent Advances in Marker-Assisted Selection for Drought Tolerance in Pearl Millet

Abstract

Pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.] is the staple cereal of the hottest, driest areas of the tropics and subtropics. Drought stress is a regular occurrence in these regions, making stress tolerance an essential attribute of new pearl millet cultivars. Recent breeding research has mapped several quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for components of grain and stover yield per se, as well as yield maintenance, under terminal drought stress conditions. We report here the evaluation of these QTLs as possible selection criteria for improving stress tolerance of an elite hybrid cultivar. Initial evaluations, based on hybrids made with topcross pollinators bred from lines selected directly from the mapping population, indicated an advantage to the QTL-based topcross hybrids. This advantage seemed to be related to a particular plant phenotype that was similar to that of the drought tolerant parent of the mapping population. Subsequent evaluations were based on testcross hybrids of drought tolerance QTL introgression lines in the background of the drought-sensitive parent of the mapping population, H 77/833-2. These introgression lines were bred by limited marker-assisted backcrossing of a putative major drought tolerance QTL into H 77/833-2 from the mapping population’s drought tolerant parent. Several of these QTL introgression lines had a significant positive general combining ability for grain yield under terminal stress and significantly out-yielded testcross hybrids made with the original recurrent parent both in unrelieved terminal drought stress and in gradient stress evaluations.     

Isolation,culture, and regeneration of leaf mesophyll protoplasts of selected clones ofSolanum

Summary Protoplast production and regeneration of nine cultivars ofSolanum tuberosum spp.tuberosum and a hybridSolanum phureja × S. chacoense (JV-2) were compared by using methods based on Grun & Chu (1978) and Shepard (1980). The yield of protoplasts differed significantly among clones. Small leaf samples produced more protoplast per gram than large ones. Significant environmental effects on protoplast production when only the light that the plants received was controlled became non-significant when both light and temperature were controlled by use of a growth chamber. JV-2 was successfully cultured by the method based on Grun & Chu (1978), but the cultivars were not. Protoplasts of six clones developed calli, when the method based on Shepard (1980) was used, but cvs. Atlantic and Kennebec usually failed to form cell walls. Success in growth and development during each stage of protoplast and callus culture was clone specific. Calli of JV-2, Russet Burbank, and Lemhi developed shoots while those of Butte, Superior, and Green Mountain did not. Authorized for publication as paper No 7121 in the Journal Series of The Pennsylvania Agricultural Experiment Station.     

Detection of powdery mildew in two winter wheat cultivars using canopy hyperspectral reflectance

To determine the most sensitive spectral parameters for powdery mildew detection, hyperspectral canopy reflectance spectra of two winter wheat cultivars with different susceptibilities to powdery mildew were measured at Feekes growth stage (GS) 10, 10.5, 10.5.3, 10.5.4 and 11.1 in 2007–2008 and 2008–2009 seasons. As disease indexes increased, reflectance decreased significantly in near infrared (NIR) regions and it was significantly correlated with disease index at GS 10.5.3, 10.5.4 and 11.1 for both cultivars in both seasons. For the two cultivars, red edge slope (dr_red), the area of the red edge peak (Σdr_{680−760 nm}), difference vegetation index (DVI) and soil adjusted vegetation index (SAVI) were significantly negatively correlated with disease index at GS 10.5.3, 10.5.4 and 11.1 in both seasons. Compared with other parameters, Σdr_{680−760 nm} was the most sensitive parameter for powdery mildew detection. The regression models based on Σdr_{680−760 nm} were constructed at GS 10.5.3, 10.5.4 and 11.1 in both seasons. These results indicated that canopy hyperspectral reflectance can be used in wheat powdery mildew detection in the absence of other stresses resulting in unhealthy symptoms. Therefore, disease management strategies can be applied when it is necessary based on canopy hyperspectral reflectance data.     

Inductive and noninductive conditions on in vitro tuberisation and microtuber dormancy in potato (Solanum tuberosum subspeciestuberosum and subspeciesandigena)

Summary The effect of growth conditions (medium and photoperiod) on in vitro tuberisation and microtuber dormancy of the cv. Désirée (Solanum tuberosum subspeciestuberosum) and Imilla Negra (Solanum tuberosum subspeciesandigena) was evaluated. The short photoperiod and presence of CCC in the medium reduced the dry matter of plants as well as the size of microtubers. The two cultivars showed a difference, in favour of Désirée, in the percentage of plants having more than one tuber and in the average time of sprouting after storage. The average time of sprouting was more rapidly obtained under long days and in a medium without CCC. The CCC and short days caused the same dormancy conditions and the same K⁺ quantity in the microtubers. The microtubers mineral composition is involved in the dormancy status.     

Resistance toErwinia spp. in diploid potato with a high starch content

Summary Tubers of diploid interspecific hybrids, hexaploid somatic hybrids ofSolanum tuberosum andSolanum brevidens, a fusion parental line (S. tuberosum) and several Polish and American commercial cultivars were screened for resistance toErwinia carotovora subsp.atroseptica andErwinia chrysanthemi, in laboratory tests. Both groups of hybrids showed a high level of resistance to soft rot and gave a similar type of resistant reaction, which distinguished them from the cultivars and fusion parent. Tubers of the diploid interspecific hybrids had a high starch content. Our results indicate the possibility of obtaining breeding material with a high starch content and resistance to bacterial soft rot.     

Developing rice cultivars for high-fertility upland systems in the Asian tropics

Traditionally, upland rice is grown in Asia in low-input, subsistence systems. More productive upland systems, using more fertilizer and improved varieties, are emerging in China and Philippines, and could contribute to productivity increases in rainfed environments in other countries. Here, we evaluate, on-station and on-farm, the yield under upland management of improved indica upland cultivars selected for yield under high-fertility conditions. These cultivars are compared with traditional and improved tropical japonica upland varieties, and with elite indica high-yielding varieties (HYV) developed for irrigated lowland production, to characterize the features of varieties that produce high yields in favorable upland environments. Forty-four improved and traditional varieties and experimental lines were evaluated in irrigated lowland, non-stressed upland, moderately stressed upland, severely water-stressed upland, and low-fertility upland environments in southern Luzon, Philippines. Correlations between yields in non-stress and mild-stress environments were low but positive. Some cultivars, like IR55423-01, were among the highest yielding under both conditions, indicating that high yield and moderate water-stress tolerance can be combined. Upland-selected indica varieties yielded 3.56 t ha⁻¹ in favorable upland environments on-station in southern Luzon, outperforming improved tropical japonica and irrigated varieties by 23 and 69%, respectively. They were also the highest-yielding class in infertile, acid soils. The improved upland indica cultivars are about 110 cm tall under favorable upland conditions and maintain a harvest index of nearly 0.4, or about one-third higher than other cultivar types. The best upland-adapted rice varieties produced average yields on-farm of 3.3 and 4.1 t ha⁻¹ in southern Luzon and Yunnan, respectively, outyielding traditional checks by 30–50% with moderate N application. Screening under both high-fertility, non-stress conditions and moderate reproductive-stage stress appears to be needed to develop cultivars combining high-yield potential with drought tolerance. Upland-adapted indica cultivars offer a new approach to increasing productivity and reducing risk in Asian rainfed rice systems.     

A contribution to the maintenance of phytopathogenic virus strains on tissue culture plantlets

Summary The long-term maintenance of phytopathogenic viruses on potato and tobacco tissue culture plantlets was investigated. Several strains of PVY^N, PVY^O, PVX, PVA, PVM, PVS and PLRV have been kept in a tissue culture type collection of viruses at the Institut für Kartoffelforschung Gross Lüsewitz for 1–3 years. The serological and biological activity of cultures established in vitro of PVY^N-D 884/Solanum tuberosum cv. Ackersegen, PVY^O-1427/Nicotiana tabacum cv. Samsun, PVX-Erstling/Nicotiana tabacum cv. Samsun and PVX-Erstling/Solanum tuberosum cv. Arkula was proved.     

基于高光谱遥感的小麦黄花叶病害等级监测研究

为了构建小麦黄花叶病的遥感监测技术,在小麦返青期、拔节前期和拔节后期测定了不同黄花叶病等级下的冠层反射率,并同步调查与病害等级相关的小麦株高、含水量、氮含量、色素含量等农学参数,筛选出适宜监测小麦黄花叶病的植被指数,并构建病害等级监测模型。结果表明,小麦黄花叶病的反射光谱敏感波段在返青期和拔节前期集中于560～720 nm范围,而拔节后期则集中于800～900 nm区域。随病害等级的增加,光谱反射率在可见光波段逐渐增加,而在近红外波段区域降低。植被指数与病害等级相关性在不同生育时期间存在显著差异,整体上以拔节前期最好,决定系数(r²)为0.72～0.82,而拔节后期模型精度急剧下降(r²=0.26～0.72)。在植被指数中,整体上以表征色素变化的mND705模型预测精度最好,r²和RMSE分别为0.59～0.68和0.79～0.98。采用偏最小二乘回归(PLSR)建立黄花叶病害分级模型,三个时期的模型精度均高于植被指数模型,且整体上以返青期和拔节期前期估算效果较好,模型验证r²为0.93～0.97,...     

Solanum habrochaites introgression line grafted as rootstock in cultivated tomato maintains growth and improves yield under cold and drought stresses

Grafting tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) onto introgression lines (ILs) derived from S. habrochaites with introgression of a quantitative trait locus (QTL), stm9, for shoot turgor maintainer located on chromosome 9 has been suggested for improving yield under abiotic stresses. However, the physiological and agronomic responses of grafts with IL rootstocks to low root-zone temperature (RZT) and drought stresses are not yet clearly understood. Therefore, recurrent parent (RP) grafted onto IL and donor (D) rootstocks, and self-grafted IL and RP were examined at different combinations of optimal (20°–26°C RZT and well-watered) and suboptimal (10°C RZT and well-watered, and 20°–26°C RZT and cyclic drought) temperatures. Graft combinations were compared with self-grafted controls for dry weights, stomatal conductance (g_s), leaf parameters, osmotic adjustment, and stress tolerance index. The RP grafted onto IL rootstocks regulated g_s efficiently, retained the green trait, and produced higher biomass than the self-grafted RP. The IL rootstocks improved tolerance of the scion to drought and low RZT. Potential of IL rootstocks for improving tomato production under stressed conditions is discussed.     

冬小麦叶面积指数的品种差异性与高光谱估算研究

为给小麦叶面积指数（LAI）的高光谱估算提供技术支持,基于2年大田试验,以4个河南主推品种为材料,对小麦LAI和冠层光谱变化特点、估算模型及其品种间的差异等进行了系统分析。结果表明,在生育期内不同冬小麦品种冠层光谱反射率的变化与LAI变化有差异;在相同LAI下,不同冬小麦品种的光谱曲线存在差异。利用400~900 nm范围内冠层光谱反射率的任意两波段组合的比值光谱指数（RSI）、归一化差值光谱指数（NDSI）和差值光谱指数（DSI）所建立的单品种模型以及不同品种综合模型的决定系数（r）均达到0.84以上,单品种模型的r和调整r分别较综合模型高出3.1%~4.8%和2.0%~4.2%。利用独立于建模样本以外的数据对上述模型进行检验,单品种模型预测的r较综合模型提高了0.6%~11.0%,而均方根误差降低了10.0%~37.0%。因此,在利用高光谱遥感技术估算冬小麦LAI时,可以通过建立单品种模型来提高估算精度。     

Modeling groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) performance under drought conditions

Erratic rainfall is often a limiting factor in the semi-arid regions where most groundnut cultivation occurs. As a result, ensuring availability of cultivars that possess inherent tolerance to drought stress has become a priority. Field and box (wooden boxes of 2 m length × 1 m width × 0.3 m depth) experiments were conducted under drought and non-drought conditions to identify physiological and agronomic traits correlated with pod yield (PY). Fifty (50) advanced breeding lines were evaluated. Linear models containing different combinations of total dry matter at maturity, crop growth rate, pod growth rate, partition coefficient, and harvest index were able to predict PY under intermittent drought (adjusted R² range: 0.9798–0.9895). The box experiment was more discriminating of genotypes than field experiments, making it a suitable technique for drought tolerance screening using specific leaf area and leaf chlorophyll content. As a result, screening and pre-selection using the seed-box technique before advanced evaluation on the field is recommended.     

Crop water stress index for potato under furrow and drip irrigation systems

Summary This study was conducted to determine the crop water stress index (CWSI) for potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) grown under furrow and drip irrigation methods and subjected to three different irrigation levels (100, 50 and 0% replenishment of soil water depleted). The lower (non-stressed) and upper (stressed) baselines were determined empirically from measurements of canopy temperatures, ambient air temperatures and vapor pressure deficit values. Tuber yield decreased when mean CWSI prior to irrigation exceeded 0.68 in furrow and 0.81 in drip irrigation. The tuber yield was directly correlated with the seasonal CWSI values and the linear equations for furrow and drip irrigation methods, Y = −45.82 CWSI + 50.69 and Y = −52.65 CWSI + 58.44, respectively, can be used for yield prediction.