The effect of temperature and light during storage of young seed potatoes on initial plant development at early plantings

Summary Young seed tubers of several cultivars were exposed to storage temperatures of 4–24°C in light and dark intended to optimise their growth vigour following early plantings. In five experiments during four autumn and winter periods, the effects of storage conditions on subsequent initial plant development in the glasshouse were studied. Storage of seed potatoes for 2 months at temperatures of 12°C or higher greatly increased early plant development of five cultivars following early plantings. Light during storage had a favourable effect, but desprouting before planting was greatly disadvantageous.     

整薯播种对马铃薯生育及产量的影响

1979～1984年,在黑龙江省北部黑土地区气象条件、生产水平和栽培条件下,通过田间试验,研究了整薯播种对马铃薯生育和产量的影响。结果表明:整薯播种与传统习惯的切块播种相比,6年期间平产出现频率为2次,一般年份整薯播种比切块播种增产9～12%,在春旱严重的1980年,整薯播种表现出非常突出的抗旱保苗效果。在群体叶面积发展进程上,整薯播种表现早发早衰,切块播种晚发晚表,一般年份光合势前者比后者高9.6%,春旱严重的1980年高82.8%。块茎商品率以112.5克为准时,6年平均整薯播种为74.1%,切块播种为80.0%,两者相差5.9%;以50克为准时,整薯播种为97.3%,切块播种为98.2%,两者相差0.9%。     

马铃薯种薯在高温下萌芽的生物学效应

本试验以晋薯2号品种的带毒及无毒种薯为材料,在萌芽期间进行高温(25～28℃)贮藏处理,以低温(4～7℃)处理作为对照,研究种薯在高温条件下萌芽对后代植株生长、生理及产量的影响,探讨种薯生理年龄的衡量指标以及萌芽高温和病毒在马铃薯退化中的作用。     

云南马铃薯贮存损失的调查和评价

调查了云南马铃薯主产区 17个农户家庭贮存马铃薯的现状和损失。作为商品薯贮存失去商品价值的损失率达到 4 7 4 % ,其中发芽薯占 35 4 % ,损失最大 ,贮存时间 12 0d块茎发芽率仅1 5 % ,但 15 0d迅速增加到 5 6 88% ;破损块茎占 7 2 % ;病害烂薯占 4 8%。马铃薯种薯与商品薯同仓混贮 ,在同样无光照的条件下 ,造成种薯过早发芽 ,而且芽细弱 ,降低了种薯的质量。马铃薯疮痂病 (S .scabies)发生普遍 ,在一些地方发病率高达 10 0 % ,应当引起重视。讨论了马铃薯贮存中存在的问题 ,提出了马铃薯贮存技术发展的意见。     

利用TPS夏播生产优质实生种薯的研究——夏播TPS生产实生种薯

本文是利用TPS夏播生产优质实生种薯的初步研究结果,它由种著大小试验、实生苗密度试验,夏播TPS生产实生种薯试验三部分组成.这三个试验是在1989~1992年进行的.试验揭示了种薯大小与后代生长发育的关系,认为3g以上的小整薯均可直接播于大田生产实生种薯,土壤肥力和实生苗密度是影响夏播生产实生种薯的主要因素,土壤肥力更重要.实生苗的定植密度应大于120株/m~2.初步证明,利用TPS夏播生产实生种薯是可行的.     

The effect of water stress on the yielding capacity of potato crops and subsequent performance of seed tubers

Summary The effect of water stress on yielding capacity of potatoes was studied in 3 years using four different levels of soil water potential (0.7, 1.9, 3.4 and 7.8 atm.) in experiments in specially adapted structures that excluded uncontrolled water supply. Seed tubers from these crops were planted in the following years to investigate effects of water stress on their subsequent performance. Limited soil moisture availability decreased yield and the number and size of tubers. The growing period was shortened by 1–4 weeks and dormancy period by 2–8 weeks. In the following year, seed produced under conditions of moisture stress gave plants with 20% fewer stems. 24–33% less yield, 18–22% fewer tubers and 19–22% fewer large tubers than plants from seed produced under abundant water supply. It is concluded that the yield potential of seed tubers can be improved by careful attention to the availability of soil moisture during their production.     

Comparison of hydroponic culture and culture in a peat/sand mixture and the influence of nutrient solution and plant density on seed potato yields

Summary Two culture systems for propagating first generation potatoes were compared; the traditional system used a peat/sand mixture with mineral fertilizer, and hydroponic culture used perlite and nutrient solution. Total production and the number of tubers obtained using the hydroponic system were significantly higher than using the traditional culture system. Tuber yields from in vitro plants and minitubers depended upon time of year. During the autumn/winter cycle yield from minitubers was double that from in vitro plants, whereas the reverse was true during the spring/summer cycle. Four hydroponic test cultures were carried out to study the influence of seed density. The number of tubers obtained increased significantly with seed density but there was no decrease in the number of large-diameter tubers.     

Seed potato quality as influenced by high temperatures during the growth period. 1. Effect of storage temperature on sprout growth

Summary In the Negev area of Israel potatoes are grown in two seasons of the year: spring and autumn. Locally grown seed of cv. Up-to-Date prepared for the autumn season are grown in the spring under high-temperature conditions during the last part of the growth period. The response to storage temperature treatments consisted of different degrees of sprouting. Temperatures that encouraged bud development (12–22°C) shortened the dormant period of the tubers by about a month, and usually there is clear apical dominance. However, increasing length of the apical bud was positively correlated with storage temperature. Partial loss of apical dominance was obtained when the tubers were held at a low temperature (4°C) for at least two months after lifting. After transfer of the tubers to high temperatures for another month, there were 3 or 4 sprouts per tuber. The physiological age of seed tubers developing in the semi-arid region is discussed. Contribution from the Agricultural Research Organization, Beit Dagan, Israel 1979 Series, No 300.     

Innovative propagation methods in seed tuber multiplication programmes

Summary The production of large volumes of vitroplantlets and greenhouse tubers for increasing the rate of multiplication at the start of seed programmes provides the opportunity of reducing the total number of field generations grown before the seed moves into commerce. This implementation is especially useful for countries where high quality potato seed tubers cannot be produced because there are no vector-free production areas. This review covers the following steps: a) laboratory production of microplantlets and microtubers; b) minituber production in the glasshouse; c) storage and dormancy of micro- and minitubers; d) field performance of micro- and minitubers compared with conventional seed tubers; e) incorporation of the mentioned propagules in seed production systems. Many optimized protocols are already available for propagating plantlets, inducing microtubers and obtaining minitubers in the glasshouse at all periods of the year. Advanced molecular approaches techniques (RFLP and RAPD) to detect genetic variation in the progeny of these propagules have been described. Investigations carried out in this field have shown genetic stability, with the propagules usually reproducing plants true-to-type and tubers without deviants. By contrast, variations were demonstrated in DNA extracted from old suspension cell culture. Field trials assessed a lower yield potential crops from in vitro propagules compared with conventional seed tubers., mainly due to slow early crop development and the failure of plants caused by early stress after emergence. This may cause problems when the growing season is short because of the necessity for planting late to avoid night frosts and the mandatory haulm killing dates, common in many seed producing areas. Strategies for improving the field performance of micro- and minitubers are discussed. The most promising crop husbandry techniques appear to be: a) using tubers of a suitable physiological age, properly presprouted and encapsulated; b) optimizing the time application of fertilizer and irrigation, and c) using floating films. Outside the classical seed tuber areas of Northern Europe where the length of the growing period for pre-basic seed is usually not more than 80 days, the growing season is long enough to obtain reasonable yields even from micro- and minitubers.     

Relationship between silver scurf levels on seed and progeny tubers from successive generations of potato seed

The level of silver scurf on potato seed tubers on successive generations of potato seed tubers and their progeny tubers was investigated during 3 years in the field. The objective was to determine the importance of seed-borne inoculum on silver scurf development on the subsequent progeny tubers. Silver scurf incidence and severity increased with each generation. Coefficients of determination for disease levels among generations were significant and ranged from 0.89 to 0.97, indicating that seed tuber source accounted for a large proportion of silver scurf on progeny seed tubers. Incidence and severity of silver scurf also increased with decreasing time periods between potato crops in the field. In a field near Paterson, WA, where potatoes had not been previously grown, the severity of silver scurf increased on progeny tubers of cvs Russet Norkotah, Ranger Russet, and Shepody as disease severity increased on seed tubers of successive generations. Disease severity index significantly increased as disease incidence increased. The relationship between the two was best described using a curvilinear regression model.     

马铃薯微肥拌种与叶面喷施增产效果的研究

为探讨马铃薯高产栽培中的配套措施,试验筛选并研究了两种微肥在马铃薯种植上进行拌种与叶面喷施试验。结果表明:微肥拌种与叶面喷施有利于种薯切块后伤口愈合,能提前出苗、开花,缩短生育期,提高大薯率,增产明显。大西北牌多元微肥拌种与叶面喷施每667 m2增收251.9元,稀土旱地宝增收210.1元。     

Seed Potato Performance after Storage in Light at Elevated Temperatures

In regions with short growth seasons, it is of great importance to use potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) seed tubers with a high growth vigour and a short growth cycle. Such qualities may be obtained by treatments advancing the physiological age of the seed tubers. In this study, we have exposed tubers from four cultivars to various combinations of temperature and light conditions (green-sprouting) for 3–7 months in controlled climate. Subsequent sprout quality, seed tuber health and performance were studied in laboratory, greenhouse and field trials. Satisfactory short, sturdy and leafy sprouts were produced even after 7 months storage at 15 °C under light exposure. An assay of black scurf (Rhizoctonia solani) on the tuber skin showed that light exposure significantly reduced the occurrence compared with dark-stored tubers, while the average effect of storage temperatures was insignificant. In general, green-sprouting advanced emergence and plant growth by 1–2 weeks, and showed early tuber initiation and growth, compared to untreated material. Yields, 107 days after planting in the field trial, did not deviate significantly from untreated tubers. However, plant development at harvest was in accordance with general responses to physiological ageing of potato seed tubers, i.e. still tall and immature plants from untreated tubers, and short and mature plants from aged tubers. Results demonstrated the possibility of successful long-term storage of potato seed tubers in light at elevated temperatures and a potential for earlier harvests and higher early yields from such treatments.     

Effect of gibberellic acid and multiple harvests on production and reproductive value of seed potatoes produced above ground on stem cuttings

Summary Potato plants of cvs Eersteling and Bintje were grown from stem cuttings and induced to form aerial tubers for use as seed. Spraying the plants with gibberellic acid in concentrations of 10, 25 and 50 mg/l to induce stolon formation in the leaf axils led to a decrease in the number of tubers formed per plant. Multiple harvesting of the largest tubers from plants treated with gibberellic acid or not, approximately doubled the number of tubers formed but halved their individual weight compared with only one harvest at plant senescence. After a storage period of about 1 year, with their vigour declining, the aerial tubers were planted in the field. Aerial seed tubers taken from multiple harvests during the previous year produced the same number of tubers as plants grown from above-ground tubers harvested at plant senescence only, but the tuber yields declined with earlier harvesting when small (5–13 mm) aerial tubers were used, compared to larger (14–19 mm) tubers.     

Tillage and seed-sprouting strategies to improve potato yield and quality in short season climates

Management practices that accelerate crop development and allow earlier harvest would be beneficial in short-season potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) production areas. Yield and quality of the potato cultivar ‘Russet Burbank’ were evaluated in a 2-yr study in northern Maine to determine effects of soil tillage and seedsprouting treatments designed to dry soil early in the spring and hasten seed emergence. The tillage treatments, consisting of fall raised bed (RB), fall ridge till (RT), and spring chisel plow (CH), were tested in combination with green-sprouted and non-sprouted seed tubers on a Caribou gravelly loam (coarse-loamy, mixed, frigid,Typic Haplorthod). Plants from green-sprouted seed emerged earlier than from non-sprouted seed tubers (87%-96% vs 21%-37%, respectively, at 18 days after planting [DAP] in 2000; and 73%-88% vs 18%-23%, respectively, at 20 DAP in 2001). Green-sprouted seed tubers in RB yielded 4.6 to 5.9 T ha^-1 more than nonsprouted seed tubers in RB. However, non-sprouted seed tubers yielded higher than green-sprouted seed tubers in RT by 2.9 to 4.2 T ha^-1 and in CH by 1.1 to 4.1 T ha^-1. Similarly, green-sprouted seed tubers in RB and nonsprouted seed tubers in RT and CH produced higher marketable yield, greater tuber length, and greater tuber diameter than the corresponding seed-sprouting treatment. In the comparatively wetter year (2000), the use of green-sprouted seed tubers in RB significantly increased total and marketable yields, and produced longer and larger tubers than all other treatments. However, in 2001 (relatively dry year), yield and quality from green-sprouted seed tubers in RB did not differ from non-sprouted seed in RT or CH. Green-sprouted seed produced fewer sunburned and rotten tubers, but more misshapen tubers than non-sprouted seed in RB tillage. The technique of producing Russet Burbank potatoes in raised beds is a promising system in regions with short growing seasons for enhancing early soil drainage during spring and improving soil water retention during critical periods of crop growth and development.     

Effect of production temperature of seed potatoes on subsequent yielding potential

A two year experiment was conducted to test if the temperature environment under which seed potatoes are produced significantly affects the tuber development and yield of the resultant potato plants. Six temperature regimes were established in the controlled facility of the Biotron. Two generations ofSolanum tuberosum ‘Kennebec’ tubers were grown in these environments and the yielding ability of plants produced from these tubers was tested in greenhouse facilities. Plant growth and tuber yields were similar to those which might be expected under field conditions, and marked differences in the development and productivity as a result of the production environment of the seed tubers were apparent. However, no evidence was found to support the contention that seed potatoes originating from cooler environments had any increased potential to produce higher yielding plants than comparable seed from warm environments. Even within a generation, the highest yields were found in the warmest environments, somewhat modifying the concept that the potato is strictly a cool-season crop. Other possible non-pathogenic explanations for previously observed differences in seed quality as a result of the production environment are discussed.     

Soil survival and thiabendazole sensitivity ofHelminthosporium solani isolates from Alberta,Canada

Summary Survival of the pathogen causing silver scurf of potato (Helminthosporium solani) in Alberta soils was studied by evaluatingH. solani infection in the progeny ofH. solani-free nuclear seed potato tubers planted in fields where potatoes had never been grown or were grown 1, 2, 3, or 4 years previously. Daughter tubers from all the fields developed silver scurf lesions, andH. solani was isolated from infected tubers. This is the first report of survival ofH. solani in Alberta soils. Soil-borne inoculum appears to have a role in the epidemiology of the disease and in the introduction of the pathogen into silver scurf-free potato seed stock. Of 31 plant species tested, only potato was found to be a host ofH. solani. Most of theH. solani isolates from north central Alberta were more sensitive to thiabendazole than those from southern Alberta, where thiabendazole is much more commonly used.     

A promising method for screening drought tolerance in potato using apical cuttings

Ten diverse potato genotypes from apical cuttings were screened for drought tolerance in raised beds of 3:1 v/v volcanic soil:burnt rice hull medium. The object was to test whether this method could replace field evaluation. Growth analyses were done periodically on potatoes from apical cuttings grown in beds. Correlations were made with those from seed tubers concurrently grown in the field. Total and tuber dry matter yield of plants grown from apical cuttings in beds and from seed tubers in the field were significantly correlated (r=.80*). Drought stress sensitivity based on % reduction in tuber and total dry matter at maturity in beds was similar to the results found in the field at maturity. Consistency of the method necessitates the standardization of the age, quality and source of apical cuttings and the growing conditions particularly drought stress imposition.     

The potential for production of high quality seed potatoes in Tierra del Fuego Island, Argentina

Summary In Argentina, different areas are suitable for seed potato production: however, each has particular problems, mainly related to different pest and diseases. Tierra del Fuego Island is well isolated from traditional potato growing areas. Therefore, it was tested for its potential for seed production. The cultivars Achatt. Mailén INTA. Pampeana INTA and Spunta were grown in Río Grande, San Pablo and Ushuaia from 1991–1994. Nematode presence and aphid population dynamics were recorded. Average tuber yield ranged from 20.1–37.6 t ha⁻¹. After three years PVY and PLRV remained low (0–1% for different cultivars and locations). Moreover, seed tubers obtained were physiologically young. Long days, early frosts and strong winds may limit tuber yield in some years. The island can be considered as an ecological “safe haven” and is very suitable to obtain healthy and physiologically adequate seed potatoes.     

鄂马铃薯5号标准原种高效生产试验

为加快高产、高抗晚疫病的国审马铃薯新品种"鄂马铃薯5号"的推广应用,进一步降低马铃薯脱毒种薯的生产成本,本试验在高海拔地区(1 880 m)对标准原种(≥5g)的高效生产进行了初步试验。试验对脱毒原原种以不同的密度进行栽培,统计标准原种的产量及效益。试验结果为:原原种的种植密度每667 m2为32 000株时,标准原种产量及效益最高,分别达14.22万粒和10 220元。试验结果还表明:随着种植密度的增大,低重量标准种薯的比例逐渐增加,尤其是5~15 g的种薯比例增加较大,标准种薯的平均单薯重逐渐降低,以利减少种薯的运输成本。     

Nitrogen fertilizatioin of potatoes for early summer harvest

Rates of N applied to sandy loam soil with wheat as the preceding years crop was studied as to the influence on tuber yields of potatoes grown for early summer harvest in Southwestern Indiana. Most of the yield response was to the first 75 lbs/acre (84 kg/ha) increment of N which increased the yield of US #1 potatoes 61 cwt/acre in 1967 and 52 cwt/acre in 1968. The total solids were not significantly decreased by the first increment of N applied which was also the N range of rapid yield increase. N fertilization increased the N content of the foliage from 3.0 to 4.0% in 1967 and 3.97 to 5.17 in 1968 and the tubers from 1.36 to 2.96 in 1968. The first 75 lbs N increment was efficiently converted to crude protein, 48% incorporation, but the succeeding increments were poorly converted.