Effects of intracanopy lighting on photosynthetic characteristics in cucumber

Plants of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L. cv. Euphorbia) were grown in a traditional high-wire cultivation system to investigate the effects of three lighting regimes on photosynthetic characteristics, leaf area and yield. The lighting regimes included overhead lighting (OH), where all the lamps were mounted above the canopy and overhead + intracanopy lighting (OH + IC) which comprised 65% of overhead lamps and 35% of lamps mounted vertically along the plant rows. All overhead lighting was provided for 20 h day⁻¹ and intracanopy lighting was provided for either 20 h or 24 h day⁻¹ lighting period. Intracanopy lighting improved the light distribution in the canopy. Gas exchange measurements showed that intracanopy lighting increased net photosynthesis (P_N) and photosynthetic capacity (P_max). Parameters calculated from CO₂ response (A/C_i) curves showed that in vivo estimate of the maximum rate of Rubisco carboxylation (Vc_max) and the maximum rate of electron transport (J_max) were affected by light regime. Intracanopy light increased yield by 11% compared to traditional overhead light.     

温室小型西瓜光合生产与干物质积累模拟模型

在借鉴国内外温室蔬菜作物光合生产和干物质积累模拟模型的基础上,根据温室小型西瓜的试验数据,确 定有关模型参数,建立了温室小型西瓜光合生产和干物质积累模拟模型,模型包括叶面积指数动态模型、光合生产 动态模型和干物质积累动态模型。模型利用有效积温对叶面积指数LOGISTIC方程建立叶面积指数动态模型,同时 光合作用模型还引用简便有效的高斯积分法计算冠层每日的总同化量,既考虑了光合有效辐射的日变化规律,又考 虑了太阳高度角的变化对冠层反射率的影响;此外,模型还考虑了温度对呼吸作用的影响,确定了温室小型西瓜的 碳水化合物转化成干物质的系数CF。通过不同品种、不同播期下的干物质积累动态的模型检验,表明模型有较强的 精确性、机理性和实用性。     

Moving lamps increase leaf photosynthetic capacity but not the growth of potted gerbera

To investigate the responses of leaf photosynthesis and plant growth to a moving lighting system, potted gerberas (Gerbera jamesonii H. Bolus ex J.D. Hook “Festival”) were grown under supplemental lighting in a greenhouse with either a stationary or a moving lighting system positioned above the benches. The stationary system consisted of a fixed high pressure sodium (HPS) lighting system, while the moving lighting system consisted of a moving HPS fixture attached to a cable system to move the light fixture back and forth over the crop. In both cases, the supplemental lighting was applied from 6:00 to 24:00 h with the same supplemental daily light integral (4.9 mol m⁻² day⁻¹). Moving lamps significantly increased leaf photosynthetic capacity as represented by light saturated net CO₂ exchange rate (NCER) (A_sat), light- and CO₂-saturated rate of NCER (A_max), maximum rate of Rubisco carboxylation (V_cmax), maximum rate of electron transport (J_max) and rate of triose phosphate utilization. However, in situ leaf NCER and stomatal conductance, leaf chlorophyll content index, leaf area, leaf thickness, fresh weight of plants were significantly lower under moving lighting than under stationary lighting. It is suggested that the reduced growth of plants under moving lighting might be due to (1) the overall lower light use efficiency of leaves under moving lighting than those under stationary lighting; (2) the slower response time of the photosynthetic system compared to the rate of change in light intensity under moving lighting.     

The response of plant growth and leaf gas exchange to the speed of lamp movement in a greenhouse

High-pressure sodium (HPS) light supplementation during the low-light months has become quite common for high-light requiring crops at latitudes above 45°. Most common systems have fixed installations, while movable systems have been tried with various results in greenhouses. The concept is that fewer lamps are used on a track system, and that light intensity varies over time. In two trials, we determined whether the speed of the HPS lamp movement had any effect on leaf CO₂ exchange rate, growth and developments of various plants species. Plants (chrysanthemum, petunia, rose and tomato) were grown in a greenhouse supplemented with HPS lamps which moved at various speeds (0, 2, 8 and 20 mm s⁻¹) between 06:00 and 24:00 h daily for about 6–7 weeks. One trial started at the end of November and one started at the end of January. The light sum from the lamps were 0.212 ± 0.004 mol m⁻² h⁻¹ at bench level, and the supplemental lighting represented 55 and 35% of the total light received by the plants for the two trial dates, respectively. The growth (dry matter) was reduced for tomato only when grown under moving lights compared to those grown under the stationary system, while plant height was not affected. Light saturated CO₂ exchange rate on the youngest fully developed leaves increased with lamp speed for petunia and tomato, but not for chrysanthemums, while apparent quantum yield was not affected by lamp speed for any species. In situ measurements of net CO₂ exchange rate (NCER) with supplemental lighting only, showed that NCER decreased exponentially when lamp speed increased from 0 to 20 mm s⁻¹.     

Predicting dry matter production of cauliflower (Brassica oleracea L. botrytis) under unstressed conditions: I. Photosynthetic parameters of cauliflower leaves and their implications for calculations of dry matter production

Measurements of CO₂ exchange of cauliflower leaves were carried out in a field experiment which included two nitrogen fertilisation rates. Irradiance and CO₂ concentration were varied at the leaf level within a leaf cuvette and additionally a temperature treatment was applied to field grown plants moved into climate chambers. These measurements were used to estimate parameter values of a rectangular hyperbola describing cauliflower leaf CO₂ exchange as a function of irradiance and CO₂ concentration. The obtained parameter estimates were used to derive empirical regression equations with temperature and nitrogen content of the leaves as independent variables. The resulting relationships were applied within a simple photosynthesis–respiration based dry matter production model in order to derive functional relationships between light use efficiency and irradiance, leaf area index and temperature.The rectangular hyperbola was able to describe the gas exchange data as varied by irradiance and CO₂ concentration on the single leaf level with sufficient accuracy, but estimates of initial light use efficiency (about 25 μg J⁻¹) were too high because of the bias emanating from the limited flexibility of this model. Light saturated photosynthesis rate (P_max) showed an optimum response to temperature and an increase with increasing nitrogen content of leaves. The initial slope α of the rectangular hyperbola showed no consistent responses to ambient temperature and nitrogen content of leaves. The respiration per unit leaf area β increased exponentially with increasing temperature, resulting in a Q₁₀ value of 1.86. Because only a limited number of plants was evaluated in this study, additional work is needed to further substantiate the results of the gas exchange measurements.The model analysis demonstrated that LUE is independent of the light integral over a range 5–10 MJ m⁻² per day photosynthetically active radiation if one assumes an adaptation of P_max within the canopy and over time according to the incident irradiance. Acclimatisation within the canopy and higher leaf area indices, LAI, reduce the decrease of LUE with irradiance but a substantial decline remains even for LAI values of 4.     

Modelling the effects of soil water potential on growth and quality of cut chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum morifolium)

A complete dynamic model was developed to describe the effects of soil water potential (WP) on the growth and external quality of standard cut chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum morifolium) in order to optimise water management of greenhouse crops. Experiments using chrysanthemum cv. ‘Jinba’ with different planting dates and levels of water treatment were conducted in a lean-to type greenhouse from 2006 to 2008. The dynamics of leaf area index (LAI), dry matter partitioning, and external quality traits (plant height, number of leaves per plant, flower-head diameter and peduncle length) were first determined as functions of accumulated photothermal index (PTI). Impacts of WP on leaf photosynthetic rate, LAI, dry matter partitioning, and the external quality traits were quantified via introducing the experimentally identified effects of WP on the parameters in the light response curve of leaf photosynthetic rate and the PTI-based functions. These quantitative relationships were incorporated into a generic crop growth model SUCROS. Using independent experimental data, the model was found to give good predictions for biomass production, dry weight of organs, and the external quality traits of the chrysanthemum cultivar grown under different levels of water supply. The coefficient of determination (r²) between the predicted and measured results was 0.91 for LAI, 0.88 for biomass production, and varied between 0.83 and 0.93 for organ dry weight and the external quality traits. Further evaluation is needed when applying this model to a wider range.     

Dry-matter production in a tomato crop: comparison of two simulation models

TOMSIM(l.O) and TOMGRO(l.O) are two dynamic models for tomato growth and development. Their submodels for dry matter production are compared and discussed. In TOMSIM(l.O), dry matter production is simulated by a modified version of SUCROS87 (Spitters et al., 1989). Single leaf photosynthesis rates are calculated separately for shaded and sunlit leaf area at different depths in the canopy, according to the direct and diffuse components of light; daily crop gross assimilation rate (A) is computed by integration of these rates over the different depths and over the day. In TOMSIM(l.O) leaf photochemical efficiency (e) and potential leaf gross photosynthesis rate at saturating light level (Pgmax) both depend on temperature and C02 level. In TOMGRO(l.O) crop gross photosynthesis rate is calculated by the equation of Acock et al. (1978); e is a constant and Pg max is a linear function of C02. In both models leaf photosynthesis characteristics are assumed to be identical in the whole canopy. Maintenance respiration (Rm) and conversion efficiency (Cf) are taken into account in the same way, except that root maintenance respiration is neglected in TOMGRO(l.O). For both models a sensitivity analysis was performed on the input variables (light intensity, temperature, C02 and leaf area index (LAI)) and on some of the model parameters. Under most conditions considered, simulated A was found to be 5-30% higher in TOMSIM(l.O) than in TOMGRO(l.O). At temperatures above 18°C Rm was also higher in TOMSIM(l.O), and C, was 4% higher in TOMGRO(l.O). The two models were very sensitive to changes in e and to a lesser extent to changes in the light extinction coefficient, whereas the scattering coefficient of leaves had hardly any effect on the simulated A. TOMGRO(l.O) appeared to be rather sensitive to the C02 use efficiency, whereas at ambient C02 level mesophyll resistance was quite important in TOMSIM(l.O). Four sets of experimental data (differences in cultivar, C02 enrichment and planting date) from Wageningen (The Netherlands) and Montfavet (southern France) were used to validate the models. Average 24 h temperature and average daily C02 concentration values were used as input to the models. For the Wageningen experiments, hourly PAR values were calculated from the daily global radiation sum by TOMSIM(l.O) and used as input in both models. For the Montfavet experiment, average hourly PAR measurements were used. Also measured LAI, dry matter distribution and organ dry weights (for calculation of Rm) were input to the simulation. In the Wageningen experiments, total dry matter production was simulated reasonably well by both models, whereas in the Montfavet experiment an under-estimation of about 35% occurred. TOMGRO(l.O) and TOMSIM(l.O) simulated almost identical curves in all four experiments. Strong and weak points of both models are discussed.     

Effects of interlighting on yield and external fruit quality in year-round cultivated cucumber

The effects of interlighting and of the proportion of interlight on the yield and fruit quality of year-round cultivated cucumber (Cucumis sativus L. cv. Cumuli) were investigated for this study. Artificial lighting was provided by high pressure sodium (HPS) lamps and the lighting regimes included top lighting (TL), top + interlighting 24% (T + IL24) and top + interlighting 48% (T + IL48). In TL, all of the lamps were mounted above the canopy. In T + IL24 and T + IL48, top lamps covered 76 and 52% of the lighting, respectively, while 24 and 48% of the lighting came from interlighting lamps which were mounted vertically 1.3 m above the ground between the single plant rows. The outdoor daily light integral (DLI) varied greatly during the cultivation periods; the mean values were 36.8, 5.3 and 19.9 mol m⁻² day⁻¹ for the summer, autumn–winter and spring stands, respectively. Lighting regime affected both yield and external fruit quality. Interlighting increased first class yield and decreased unmarketable yield, both in weight and number. The increase in the annual first class yield in weight was 15% in the two T + IL regimes. Interlighting improved energy use efficiency in lighting, being for the whole year 120, 130 and 127 g total yield kW h⁻¹ in TL, T + IL24 and T + IL48, respectively. Interlighting increased the fruit skin chlorophyll concentration in all seasons, but had only a minor effect on the fruit dry matter concentration. The mean total chlorophyll concentration in fruit skin was 70.8, 76.7 and 82.2 μg cm⁻² in TL, T + IL24 and T + IL48, respectively. In addition, interlighting extended the post-harvest shelf life of cucumber fruits in spring. Besides interlighting per se, also the higher proportion of interlight tended to further improve the fruit quality. For example, the fruit skin chlorophyll concentration increased along with the higher proportion of interlighting. In general, the effects of lighting regime were more prominent in lower natural light conditions in winter and spring. It is concluded that interlighting is a recommendable lighting method in cucumber cultivation, especially in lower natural light conditions.     

Girdling and summer pruning in apple increase soil respiration

The root system of plants derives all its energy from photosynthate translocated from the canopy to the root system. Canopy manipulations that alter either the rate of canopy photosynthesis or the translocation of photosynthate are expected to alter dry matter partitioning to the root system. Field studies were conducted to evaluate the effect of trunk girdling (2008 and 2009) and summer pruning (2009) on soil respiration, maximum quantum yield efficiency of photosystem II and leaf carbohydrate content. In apple trees, following trunk girdling there was increased soil respiration in association with a significant rainfall event suggesting rapid release of organic matter and subsequent microbial decomposition of the carbon. Soil respiration rates returned to baseline levels over time. Reduction in midday maximum quantum efficiency of photosystem II (RPSII) was increased by girdling when crop load was low and this reduction was not related to leaf carbohydrate levels. Girdling reduced leaf sucrose and sorbitol levels in both years, however, total leaf carbohydrates were not affected by girdling. Summer pruning increased soil respiration within 2 weeks of treatment in association with a significant rainfall event, also suggesting a release of organic matter and microbial decomposition of the carbon. Cultural practices that severely affect canopy sink source relationships such as girdling and summer pruning increase soil respiration, however these effects appear to be very short lived, 3–10 days, followed by recovery of the soil/root system to similar levels of soil carbon dioxide efflux. These cultural practices do not likely pose a long-term detrimental effect on root system efficiency because the effects are of short duration with apparent recovery.     

Analysis and modeling of gas exchange processes in Scaevola aemula

Scaevola aemula is a popular ornamental crop cultivated as a bedding plant or for hanging baskets. We characterized gas exchange properties of S. aemula ‘New Wonder’ in response to photosynthetically active radiation (PAR), carbon dioxide concentration, and leaf temperature. Net CO₂ assimilation rate (A) was responsive to CO₂, exhibiting a saturation when intercellular CO₂ concentration (C_i) was greater than 600 μmol mol⁻¹. Net CO₂ assimilation rate and dark respiration rate (R_d) were 23.1 and 2.3 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹, respectively, at 25 °C and PAR = 1500 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹. Net CO₂ assimilation rates were similar at leaf temperatures between 20 and 30 °C but significantly reduced at 15 °C. These gas exchange results were used to test the extendibility of a coupled gas exchange model previously developed for cut-roses. Utilizing the gas exchange data measured at 25 °C leaf temperature, several model parameters were independently determined for S. aemula. Model predictions were then compared with observations at different leaf temperatures. The model predicted the rates of net CO₂ assimilation and transpiration of S. aemula reasonably well. Without additional calibration, the model was capable of predicting the temperature dependence of net CO₂ assimilation and transpiration rates. Applying the model to predict the effects of supplemental lighting and CO₂ enrichment on canopy photosynthesis and transpiration rates, we show that this model could be a useful tool for examining environmental control options for S. aemula production in the greenhouse.     

LED光质补光对黄瓜幼苗生长和光合特性的影响

采用发光二极管（light emitting diode,LED）精确调制光谱能量分布,以单色光质（红光、蓝光、UV-B）和组合光质（红/蓝1∶1）进行每天4 h补光,以未补光组为对照,研究LED光质补光对黄瓜幼苗生长和光合特性的影响。结果表明：与未补光组相比,LED光质补光处理显著促进了黄瓜幼苗的生长;不同光质对黄瓜幼苗生长和光合特性的影响具有一定的差异性。其中,UV-B处理显著提高了黄瓜幼苗叶片单位鲜质量的叶绿素a、叶绿素b和类胡萝卜素含量,但显著降低了Fv/Fm;红光处理显著提高了黄瓜幼苗的真叶数、叶面积、株高、干鲜质量、壮苗指数、根系活力、SOD活性和可溶性蛋白含量。总体而言,红光有利于培育壮苗,较适合作为黄瓜育苗的补光光质。     

温室甜瓜光合生产与干物质积累模拟模型研究

在借鉴国内外温室蔬菜作物光合生产和干物质积累模拟模型的基础上,根据温室甜瓜的试验数据,确定有关模型参数,建立了温室甜瓜光合生产与干物质积累模拟模型,模型包括叶面积指数、光合生产及干物质积累动态模型。模型利用比叶面积法建立了叶面积指数动态模型,光合作用模型还引用简便有效的高斯积分法计算冠层每日的总同化量,不但考虑了光合有效辐射的日变化规律,而且考虑了太阳高度角的变化对冠层反射率的影响和温度对呼吸作用的影响。通过不同品种干物质积累动态模型检验表明,模型机理性、通用性和精度较好。     

苹果两种树形叶片对光强和CO2浓度互作的光合响应及光抑制特性

以山西省临猗县32年生的‘长富2号’苹果树为试材，以传统郁闭的圆头大冠形为对照，改造后的开心形为处理，测定叶片光合作用在不同叶片表面CO2浓度（Cs）下的光响应和在不同光合有效辐射（PAR）下的CO2响应以及光抑制前后的净光合速率Pn、光呼吸速率Pr和热耗散NPQ变化。结果表明：与自然大气状态下Cs相比，Cs升高到2 000 μmol • mol-1时，开心形和圆头大冠形的叶片最大净光合速率Pnmax分别提高151%和83.5%，光能利用范围分别提高45.8%和87.5%；Rubisco限制的最大羧化速率、最大电子传递速率和磷酸丙糖利用速率均随PAR增加而增大，且在1 500 μmol • m-2 • s-1的PAR下达到最大值。光抑制发生前（8：00—10：00）开心形的叶片Pn和Pr显著高于圆头大冠形，但NPQ无显著差异；光抑制期间（12：00—14：00）两种树形的叶片Pn均显著降低，Pr和NPQ中可恢复组分r(qE)均显著增强且开心形显著高于圆头大冠形；光抑制解除后（16：00—18：00）开心形叶片Pnmax上升42.6%而圆头大冠形无显著变化。综上，CO2浓度升高和PAR增加（饱和光强以下）对叶片光合有正互作效应；开心形树形叶片光合能力显著提高，光抑制时可通过更高效的光呼吸和热耗散自我保护，光抑制过后Pn明显恢复。     

The Effect of Iron Supply on Strawberry,Var. Royal Sovereign

Royal Sovereign strawberries, grown in sand culture with pure inorganic nutrients and controlled levels of iron supply, have shown that restriction of the iron supply can cause marked reduction in growth and crop yield before the onset of characteristic symptoms of iron deficiency. At the levels where visual symptoms first occur, fruit yield was reduced some 40% below that of plants adequately supplied with iron.

Visible deficiency symptoms were associated with an iron content of 50 p.p.m. Fe in the dry leaf at harvest. Leaves with a higher iron content did not show symptoms. Increasing the supply caused an increase in growth and crop yield, and the iron content in the leaf dry matter rose to 70 p.p.m. Fe. A still higher level of supply raised the leaf content of iron to 80 p.p.m. but did not increase growth or crop yield above that obtained with a leaf content of 70 p.p.m.

Eight other nutrient elements were determined by leaf analysis. Five of these (zinc, manganese, copper, magnesium, potassium) showed a decrease in percentage content in dry leaf matter as growth increased. This “dilution” effect could have produced a new nutrient limitation at the highest growth and yield levels. Nitrogen and phosphorus contents did not vary much, but the calcium content in the leaf showed a steady inGrease in percentage content as growth increased.     

The effect of defoliation on bulb production of tulip cultivar ‘Apeldoorn’

The distribution of dry matter between the different bulblets of tulip is not markedly influenced by either changes in leaf area or the position of the leaf. On the contrary, total bulb yield is strongly affected.A reduction factor, S_c, for incomplete soil coverage, when the leaf area index (LAI) is less than 4, normally used for evaluation of planting density effects, can also be used for the effects of defoliation on dry matter increase. This LAI-dependent factor shows a distinctly asymptotic pathway closely resembling

$\text{S}{}_{\mathrm{c}}\text{=}\text{P}{}_{\mathrm{act}}\text{P}{}_{\mathrm{pot}}\text{=1?e}{}^{\mathrm{?k1LAI}}$

where k ～ 0.6 and in which P_act is the actual measured dry weight increase and $\text{P}\text{?}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>pot</mtext>}}$ the potential net dry weight increase for a closed canopy.     

Effects of leaf aging and light duration on photosynthetic characteristics in a cucumber canopy

Photosynthetic characteristics, chlorophyll index and leaf area were examined in selected leaves of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L. cv. Euphorbia). In the first experiment, plants of cucumber were grown horizontally at a lighting period of 20 h day⁻¹. Photosynthetic measurements in horizontally growing cucumbers showed that there was no decline in photosynthetic capacity when cucumber leaves are developing under good light conditions. In a second experiment, plants were grown in a traditional high-wire cultivation system under 20 h day⁻¹ lighting period until they reached final height and then exposed to different lighting periods (20 and 24 h day⁻¹) for 3 weeks. In stands of cucumber plants photosynthetic measurements showed that the lower leaves have a significant reduction in photosynthetic capacity due to reduced light conditions. Three weeks exposure to 24 h day⁻¹ lighting period reduced leaf area by 20%. Plant grown under continuous light had also lower chlorophyll index compared to plants grown under 20 h day⁻¹ lighting period.     

Effect of nitrogen form and radiation on growth and mineral concentration of two Brassica species

Three greenhouse experiments were carried out to determine the growth, yield, nitrate, total N and S concentration in shoots, and water uptake of hydroponically grown Brassica rapa L. subsp. nipposinica var. chinoleifera and Brassica juncea L. In each experiment, daily photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) level was 5.0 mol m⁻² (low), 6.8 mol m⁻² (medium) or 9.0 mol m⁻² (high). Plants were supplied with nutrient solutions having equal N concentrations of 11 mM in different forms: 100% NH₄, 50% NH₄ + 50% NO₃, and 100% NO₃. Nitrogen supplied as 100% NH₄ reduced fresh and dry shoot biomass, leaf area, and leaf number in both Brassica species, especially at low and medium PAR levels. In both Brassica species, S concentrations were highest, while nitrate concentrations were lowest in leaves of plants grown at N supplied as 100% NH₄. No differences in leaf nitrate concentrations were observed between 50% NH₄ + 50% NO₃ and 100% NO₃ treatments. Low and high PAR levels increased the nitrate concentrations and decreased the N/S ratio in leaves of both crops compared to medium PAR level. Fresh shoot biomass was maximized in Brassica rapa when PAR level was above the medium value and nitrate was supplied in the nutrient solution as NO₃ or as a mixture of 50% NO₃ and 50% NH₄. The highest fresh shoot biomass of Brassica juncea was observed in all nutrient solution treatments at high PAR level.     

Dry matter and area partitioning,radiation interception and radiation-use efficiency in open-field bell pepper

The objective of this study was to determine some key components of a model for bell pepper growth and yield under non-limiting water and nutrient conditions using data from field trials conducted in Southern Portugal. DM partitioning, at least before fruiting, and specific area indices for leaves, stems and fruits were conservative in relation to normalized thermal time. The interception model had a good performance. It was based on the exponential extinction of radiation on the area covered by the plants, the ellipsoidal leaf-angle distribution model (X-parameter 2.48 and 2.89), and absorptivities of the leaves for PAR and NIR, 0.8 and 0.2, respectively. Radiation-use efficiency (RUE) was determined and presented in four different forms. RUE did not change substantially throughout the growing season. RUE of irrigated pepper crops grown in our experiments was around 1.6 g MJ⁻¹ of intercepted PAR. The models and parameter values presented in this study may be useful to simulate the development and growth of field-grown pepper crop.     

Growth and productivity of potato as influenced by cultivar and reproductive growth: II. Growth analysis,tuber yield and quality

A field experiment was conducted under sub-humid tropical conditions in Ethiopia using determinate cultivars Al-624, Al-436, CIP-388453-3(A) and CIP-388453-3(B) to study the effect of flowering and berry set on the growth, tuber yield, and quality of potato. Three treatments, viz. debudded, flowering, and fruiting plants were compared and standard growth analysis techniques were applied to study the growth pattern. Fruiting plants exhibited reduced leaf area index, tuber growth rate, and partitioning coefficient, but had higher crop growth rates and net assimilation rates. Fruit development reduced total and marketable tuber mass and tuber number without affecting the unmarketable component. Cultivars varied with respect to tuber yield, tuber number, size distribution, specific gravity, dry matter content, and nutrient composition. Fruiting reduced tuber specific gravity and dry matter content while increasing P, K, Mg, Fe, and Mn content of the tubers. Reproductive growth did not affect tuber Ca, S, Cu, and Zn concentrations. The field experiment demonstrated that reproductive growth restricts vegetative growth and reduces tuber yield and dry matter content of potato.