Use of jasmonate for conditioning of potato plantlets and microtubers in greenhouse production of minitubers

A two-year study was conducted to determine the effects of (1) jasmonic acid (JA) pre-treatment, (2) JA supplement in culture media, (3) cultivar (Amisk, Atlantic, Russet Burbank, Shepody, and Umatilla Russet), (4) light (0 h, 8 h), and (5) dormancy breaking treatment (Rindite, gibberellic acid) on greenhouse production of minitubers from microtubers andin vitro plantlets. The microtubers were produced under short day (8 h) light conditions and in darkness, from stock plantlets pre-treated with JA and untreated, and on tuberization media with or without JA.In vitro plantlets (the industry choice in nuclear seed potato production) of all five cultivars performed well, meeting the standard criteria for greenhouse production of minitubers. Production of minitubers from microtuber-derived plants of cvs Amisk, Russet Burbank, and Umatilla Russet was similar to that of plantlet-derived plants with regard to number of minitubers. Yields (weight), however, were lower than those from plantlets. Microtuber responses to JA varied with cultivar. Amisk produced the highest number of minitubers per plot from microtubers derived from JA pre-treated plantlets. Jasmonic acid-pretreated microtubers also gave significantly more minitubers in Russet Burbank and Umatilla Russet than the microtubers from other treatments. Shepody did not benefit from JA treatments and JA pre-treated Atlantic microtubers performed poorly, producing significantly lower yields of minitubers than other cultivars. Independently of cultivar, microtubers produced under 8-h photoperiod gave significantly higher yields of minitubers than microtubers produced in the dark. Dormancy release was the key factor influencing microtuber performance. Rindite proved to be a much more effective dormancy breaking treatment than gibberellin. JA conditioning of stock plants prior to tuberization is being proposed as a treatment in production of microtubers for greenhouse production of minitubers.     

Manipulation of microtubers for direct field utilization in seed production

A two-year field study was conducted to determine the effects of jasmonic acid (JA), light (duringin vitro explant production andin vitro tuberization phases), and dormancy-breaking treatment on performance of microtubers in the production of seed tubers (pre-elite) in five potato cultivars. Microtubers were produced under short day (8-h) conditions and in darkness, from stock plantlets pre-treated with JA and untreated, and on tuberization media with or without JA. Microtuber performance was compared to invitro plantlets transplanted directly to the field. Yields of tubers from microtubers were 30% to 40% of those from plantlets. Microtubers of cultivars Amisk and Russet Burbank produced the highest yields of pre-elite tubers. Atlantic microtubers performed poorly in the field. JA pre-treatment of stock plantlets, prior toin vitro tuberization, enhanced seeds tuber production from microtubers in Russet Burbank and lowered in Shepody. JA presence in media duringin vitro tuberization significantly lowered production of tubers while exposure to 8-h light resulted in microtubers performing significantly better in the field than microtubers produced in the dark. Dormancy release was the key factor influencing microtuber performance. Unlike greenhouse studies, gibberellic acid (GA₃) was more effective than Rindite. A further refinement of the production and handling methods is required before microtubers can be recommended for field production of seed tubers.     

Alta Russet: An early-maturing, high-quality russet cultivar for wedge-cut french fry production

Alta Russet (Russet Nugget × Ranger Russet) is an early-maturing cultivar, with high yield and excellent processing quality (fry color and dry matter) coupled with a tuber size and shape profile ideal for the manufacture of wedge-cut french fries. In the western Canadian regional trials harvested 110 days after planting, the yield of the new cultivar was similar and the specific gravity superior to that of Russet Burbank. In multi-harvest date trials conducted under irrigated conditions in southern Alberta (Canada) the yield of Alta Russet was superior to Russet Burbank and Shepody and similar to Ranger Russet (Amisk) when harvested at 95 and 110 days after planting. The tuber specific gravity of the new cultivar was superior to Russet Burbank, Shepody, and Ranger Russet (Amisk) at 95 days after planting. At 110 days after planting tuber specific gravity was similar to Ranger Russet (Amisk), but superior to Russet Burbank and Shepody. Fry color was generally superior to Russet Burbank in the western Canadian regional trials and in the multi-harvest trials was generally similar to Russet Burbank, Shepody, and Ranger Russet (Amisk). Alta Russet produces excellent fry color out of long-term storage at 8 C and acceptable color at 6 C. External and internal defects occurred at very low levels in all trials. Alta Russet is resistant to common scab and Verticillium wilt, moderately resistant to early blight and Fusarium wilt and susceptible to Fusarium dry rot and late blight. The new cultivar shows clear symptoms when infected with bacterial ring rot.     

Relationships between fry color and sugar concentration in stored Russet Burbank and Shepody potatoes

Relationships between french fry color and sugar composition of Russet Burbank and Shepody potatoes harvested at various chemical maturities (i.e., sucrose concentrations) and exposed to various temperature regimes during 8 to 9 months storage were examined. Combined data from 3 years of study showed fry color to be more closely associated with glucose during 8 C storage for Russet Burbank (r²=0.65) and Shepody (r²=0.62) than with fructose, total reducing sugars, sucrose, or total sugars. Glucose > 1.6 mg g^?1 in Russet Burbank and > 1.2 mg g^?1 in Shepody resulted in fries which were too dark to be eligible for maximum bonus paid by processors for good color. Russet Burbank harvested with sucrose > 3.1 mg g^?1 and Shepody harvested with sucrose > 1.6 mg g^?1 and preconditioned for 14 d at 15 C before storage at 8 C accumulated enough glucose in storage to result in fries which were darker than was acceptable for maximum bonus payment. Preconditioning at 15 C for 70 d was necessary to prevent Russet Burbank with sucrose of 3.9 mg g^?1 at harvest from accumulating unacceptably high glucose during storage. Glucose determined with enzymatic test strips was in close agreement with that by HPLC for both cultivars. The test strips could be used to estimate fry color of Russet Burbank.     

Gelling agent and light effects onin vitro tuberization of potato cultivars

The effects of Gelrite and agar onin vitro tuberization of six potato cultivars, Atlantic, Chaleur, Cherokee, Desiree, Kennebec and Red Pontiac under low light intensity and in the dark were examined. The medium consisted of MS salts, vitamins, 6% sucrose, 2.5 mg/l kinetin and either 2 g/l Gelrite or 6 g/l agar. The cultures were kept either under diffused light with a 16 h photoperiod or in darkness at 22/19 C day/night temperatures for eight weeks. Tuberization was earlier and more uniform (a higher proportion of tubers ≥ 5 mm) on Gelrite than on agar solidified medium and earlier in the darkness than in the light. Light effects varied from cultivar to cultivar. The slowest to tuberize in light were Atlantic and Red Pontiac, the fastest, Chaleur and Cherokee. Chaleur, Cherokee and Kennebec produced significantly more large tubers and higher total tuber mass under low light than in darkness. Atlantic and Red Pontiac reacted in the opposite way. Desiree produced significantly more large tubers in the dark, but the differences in tuber mass between the dark and light conditions were not significant. Light also stimulated shoot and root growth in most of the cultures. No relation was observed between the relative maturities of the tested cultivars and their tuberization responsesin vitro.     

Effect of leaves on microtubers produced from potato single-node cuttingsIn Vitro

Microtubers are used to propagate, to store, and to transport potato clones. Culturing single-node explants from potato plantletsin vitro without subtending leaves was reported to result in plantlets with lower vigor and a higher coefficient of variation. The effect on microtuber productionin vitro of leaf area and the presence or absence of leaves on potato single-node cuttings was investigated as an extension of the above study. Stock plantlets of potato cvs Atlantic, Kennebec, Russet Burbank, and Shepody were cultured under a 16-h photoperiod. Single-node cuttings were excised and grown in a high-sucrose tuberization medium in darkness. Leaf area did not affect the frequency, size, or weight of microtubers of cvs Katahdin and Russet Burbank. The absence of leaves reduced microtuber diameter for Russet Burbank; whereas Atlantic, Kennebec, and Shepody were unaffected. Mean fresh weight of microtubers was reduced when leaves were removed for all cvs except Atlantic. No effect of the removal of the leaf was observed for mean dry weights of microtubers from all cvs, although microtubers from single-node cuttings without leaves accumulated significantly more percent dry matter than those with leaves. Rapid multiplication facilities may therefore wish to consider conserving resources such as media, vessels, and growth room space by culturing explants without leaves for the production of microtubers.     

The effect of moisture stress at three growth stages on the yield,components of yield and processing quality of eight potato varieties

A study was conducted over a three year period in southern Alberta to establish the yield and quality responses of eight potato varieties-Atlantic, Conestoga, Norchip, Niska, Shepody, Ranger Russet (Idaho clone), Ranger Russet (Amisk clone) and Russet Burbank to a single transient moisture stress (-80 kPa) at three growth stages in crop development (early, midseason and late). Early and midseason moisture stress had the greatest negative impact (P<0.05) on tuber yield. Of the eight varieties, Atlantic and Conestoga appear to be particularly sensitive to stress at these two growth stages. Midseason stress also appeared to reduce specific gravity. A year x stress interaction (P<0.05) for fry color suggests that the influence of moisture stress on fry color can be modified by other environmental factors. The results of the study demonstrate the importance of maintaining adequate soil moisture at all stages during crop development.     

Effect of planting depth and hilling practices on total, U.S. No. 1, and field greening tuber yields

Previous research suggests that field greening of potato tubers can be minimized by planting seedpieces at an appropriate depth along with sufficient hilling to minimize exposure to sunlight. The appropriate planting depth and hilling practices to minimize field tuber greening have not been determined for newer cultivars. Two separate studies, each conducted for three years, are reported here. The first measured the effect of seedpiece planting depth on the yield, quality, and field greening tuber yield of ‘Russet Burbank’, ‘Frontier Russet’, and ‘Shepody’ potatoes. Seedpieces were handplanted in pre-formed hills at 8, 15, or 23 cm measured from the top of the seedpiece to the top of the hill. Planting at 23 cm resulted in significantly lower total yield compared with the 8- and 15-cm depths for Russet Burbank and Frontier Russet, but planting depth did not affect total yield of Shepody. U.S. No. 1 yield of Russet Burbank was not affected by planting depth, but U.S. No. 1 yield of Frontier Russet was significantly less at the 23-cm depth. For Shepody, the 8-cm depth caused a significant reduction in U.S. No. 1 yield compared with the 15-cm depth. Field greening tuber yield of Russet Burbank was significantly less at the 23-cm planting depth compared to 8 cm. For Frontier Russet and Shepody, planting at 15 or 23 cm resulted in significantly less field tuber greening compared to the 8-cm depth. The second experiment examined the effects of planting depth and hilling practices on yield, quality, and field tuber greening of Russet Burbank and Gem Russet potatoes. Six planting depth and hilling treatment combinations were used. Seedpieces were planted at a depth of either 8 or 15 cm, then hilled to either 15 or 23 cm at emergence or after plants had formed a rosette of leaves approximately 10 cm in diameter (post-emergence hilling). At-emergence hilling treatments had no effect on total or U.S. No. 1 yields of Russet Burbank compared with the 15-cm planting depth, non-hilled control. However, all post-emergence hilling treatments significantly reduced Russet Burbank total and U.S. No. 1 yields. Planting Russet Burbank at 8 cm and hilling to 23 cm at emergence, or planting at 8 or 15 cm and hilling to 23 cm post-emergence reduced field tuber greening of Russet Burbank. The effects of planting depth and hilling on Gem Russet total and U.S. No. 1 yields were less definitive than for Russet Burbank, and no treatments significantly reduced field tuber greening yield compared with the control.     

Nitrogen fertilization and irrigation affects tuber characteristics of two potato cultivars

Nitrogen fertilization, irrigation, and cultivars affect tuber characteristics such as tuber size, specific gravity, and N concentration. Few studies, however, have investigated the interaction of irrigation and N fertilization on the tuber characteristics of potato cultivars, particularly in Atlantic Canada. The objective of this on-farm study, conducted at four sites in each of three years, 1995 to 1997, was to determine the effects of supplemental irrigation and six rates of N fertilization (0-250 kg N ha^-1) on the number of tubers per plant, the average fresh tuber weight, tuber N concentration, nitrate (NO₃-N) concentration, and specific gravity of the cultivars Shepody and Russet Burbank. Nitrogen fertilization increased the average fresh tuber weight, tuber N and N0₃-N concentrations, and decreased specific gravity. Effects of increasing N fertilization on tuber characteristics were often more pronounced for Shepody than for Russet Burbank, and for irrigated than for non-irrigated conditions. Shepody had greater average fresh tuber weight and tuber N concentration, lower specific gravity, and fewer tubers per plant than Russet Burbank. Supplemental irrigation increased the average fresh tuber weight and the number of tubers per plant, but it had a limited effect on specific gravity and tuber N and NO₃-N concentrations. Tuber NO₃-N con centration and specific gravity were strongly related to tuber N concentration, which in turn depended primarily on N fertilization. Incidents of lowest specific gravity and highest NO₃-N concentration occurred with a relative yield close to or equal to 1.0. We conclude that the risks of low specific gravity and high tuber NO₃-N concentration are greater when fertilization exceeds the N requirements to reach maximum tuber yield.     

Critical Nitrogen Curve and Nitrogen Nutrition Index for Potato in Eastern Canada

Plant diagnostic methods of N deficiency should be based on the definition of a critical N concentration, that is the minimal N concentration required to achieve maximum growth. The critical N concentration (N_c) of potato was determined from six on-farm field trials in which two cultivars (Russet Burbank and Shepody) were grown under three or four N rates with and without irrigation. Dry matter yield and N concentration of shoots and tubers were determined approximately weekly during the growing season. The N_c was determined by selecting data points for which the highest total biomass comprised of shoots and tubers was obtained, and by expressing N concentration (N) as a function of total biomass (W). The N nutrition index (NNI), calculated as the ratio between measured N concentration and predicted N_c during the growing season, was then related to the relative yield measured at harvest. Under non-limiting water conditions, the allometric relationship between N_c and total biomass for Russet Burbank (N_c = 4.57W^-0.42) was different from that of Shepody (N_c = 5.04W^-0.42), indicating that Shepody had a greater N concentration than Russet Burbank. The N concentration of Shepody was also greater than that of Russet Burbank under limiting water conditions. These results suggest that there is intra-specific variability in potato for the relationship between N concentration and biomass. The NNI ranged from 0.50 to 1.4. The relationship between relative yield and NNI expressed by a quadratic function accounted for a greater proportion of the variability with irrigation (71% for Russet Burbank and 82% for Shepody) than without irrigation (65% for Russet Burbank and 32% for Shepody). Our results suggest that the NNI could be a reliable indicator of the level of N stress during the growing season, particularly under non-deficient water conditions.     

Effects of Elevated CO2 and Trace Ethylene Present Throughout the Storage Season on the Processing Colour of Stored Potatoes

Previous short-term trials (9-week duration) have shown that the fry colour of stored potatoes (Solanum tuberosum L.) can be negatively affected by simultaneous exposure to elevated CO₂ plus a trace concentration of ethylene gas. In the present study, trials were conducted during each of two storage seasons (2008–2009 and 2009–2010), to examine the effects of long-term exposure to these two gases during the entire November to June storage season. In each year, 0 or 2 kPa CO₂ and 0 or 0.5 μl l⁻¹ ethylene were applied in a factorial design to tubers of four processing cultivars (Russet Burbank, Shepody, Innovator and Dakota Pearl). Processing colour of the tubers was evaluated at the start of each trial and at intervals of 4 weeks thereafter. In the three French fry cultivars (i.e. Russet Burbank, Shepody and Innovator), the fry colour of tubers exposed to CO₂ + ethylene together was darker than the controls. In the chipping cultivar Dakota Pearl, the gas treatments had only a small effect on chip colour. Fry colour darkening due to an interaction of CO₂ × ethylene × time was significant only in Innovator. Processing colour of all cultivars was darkened by these gases, but the magnitude and timing of the responses varied widely between gases, among cultivars and from the start to the end of the season.     

Reduction in vigour of leafless potato cuttings in vitro

Summary Removing the leaves from single node potato cuttings in vitro allows propagules to be placed in culture vessels at increased densities with the intent of saving resources and space. Under light intensities of 22 watts^m−2, the removal of the subtending leaf resulted in fewer nodes, shorter plantlets, smaller leaf area, and lower fresh and dry weights of 4-week-old plantlets of cvs Atlantic, Kennebec, Russet Burbank and Shepody. Fewer nodes and reduced plantlet height may result in inefficient multiplication protocols because fewer propagules are available and shorter internodes make dissection more difficult. The coefficient of variation for the various growth parameters was greater when propagules lacked leaves, indicating that the variability of the plant material for propagation was increased. A reduction of vigour and growth was still evident when plantlets of cv. Shepody were grown for 6–8 weeks.     

Potato minitubers: Technology validation in Mexico

The effects of four previously reportedin vitro tuber-inducing modified culture media on the potato cultivars Atzimba and Juanita were studied under three illumination regimes. Tuberization from stem segments started 7–18 days after transfer for all the cultivar-light-medium combinations, but this early start was not related to tuber yield. Atzimba tuberized more than Juanita (1.0 and 0.8 tubers/plant respectively), and 8 h light was optimal. The medium by Wang Hu (WH) promoted the greatest tuberization for cultivar Atzimba (1,198 mg/plant) and that by Palmer-Smith (PS) for Juanita (290 mg/plant). The modified Stallknecht’s (ST), on the contrary, slightly stimulated tuberization under all illumination conditions. The presence of cytokinins and light favored the tuberization process. Dormancy was not observed in any of the microtubers, regardless of the tuber-inducing treatment.     

Storage temperature and maleic hydrazide effects on sprouting,sugars, and fry color of Shepody potatoes

The effect of low storage temperature (4 to 8 C) and maleic hydrazide (MH) treatment on sprouting, sucrose and reducing sugar (glucose and fructose) concentrations in tubers, and fry color-sugar relationships of Shepody were determined and compared to Russet Burbank. Sprouting of Shepody was delayed by 3 to 15 weeks when the temperature was lowered from 8 to 6 or 5 C, respectively. Shepody accumulated more sugars at all storage temperatures than Russet Burbank. The reducing sugars accumulated in Shepody at 5 and 6 C could be lowered to levels acceptable for processing for about 24 weeks after harvest by reconditioning at 18 C for at least two weeks. MH increased glucose in Shepody stored at 5 C compared to untreated tubers. Excessive sprouting (> 10 cm sprout length) of nonsprout inhibited Shepody occured late in storage with four weeks reconditioning. Although not statistically significant, MH tended to cause darker fry color per unit of reducing sugar in Shepody compared to tubers from untreated plants. Storage of Shepody tubers not treated with MH could be extended a few weeks by temperatures < 8 C only if there is precise control over temperature, sugars are closely monitored, and reconditioning is rapid to minimize sprouting.     

Tuber growth and biomass partitioning of two potato cultivars grown under different n fertilization rates with and without irrigation

Nitrogen and water deficiencies are known to affect potato yield, but much less is known of their effect on tuber growth and biomass partitioning. The objective of this on-farm study conducted at two sites in each of three years, 1995 to 1997, was to determine the effects of supplemental irrigation and N fertilization rates on tuber growth and biomass partitioning of the cultivars Shepody and Russet Burbank. The N fertilization rates were 0,100, and 250 kg N ha^-1in 1995, and 0, 50,100, and 250 kg N ha_?1 in 1996 and 1997. The highest bulking rate observed in our study (7.3 g fresh tubers m^-2 °C^-1) can be considered near the potential bulking rate in New Brunswick. The water deficit in the absence of supplemental irrigation reduced this potential bulking rate by as much as 40%, but this reduction was much less at five of six sites and negligible at two of six sites. Nitrogen deficiency reduced the bulking rate at two of six sites. This negative effect of N deficiency on bulking rate was greater with irrigation than without irrigation at two of six sites; the tuber bulking rate with irrigation was reduced by as much as 50% with no N applied at one site. Shepody had a greater bulking rate than Russet Burbank. The tuber bulking of Russet Burbank, however, started earlier and lasted longer than that of Shepody. Water and N deficiencies increased biomass partitioning to tubers and large roots. Shepody partitioned a greater proportion of its biomass to large roots and had a greater root biomass than Russet Burbank. Our results demonstrate the ability of potatoes to modify biomass partitioning when grown under water and/or N stresses. As a result of this compensation, the reduction in tuber yield due to limited N and water stresses is minimized.     

Light and genotype effects on in vitro tuberization of potato plantlets

Summary In vitro tuberization responses of eleven clones of potato were evaluated under different photoperiods and light intensities. No growth regulators were added to the medium to avoid the potential modification of the response to the environmental stimuli. Plantlets were grown on MS medium containing 3% sucrose for four weeks under long days (16 h). Tuberization was induced by short days (8 h). Five photoperiodic combinations and three light intensity treatments were applied. Light applied after the tuber induction phase delayed or inhibited tuber initiation (at proper photoperiods both at 111 and 55 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹ light intensities at 24/15 °C day/night temperature). Darkness following the induction stage accelerated and synchronized tuber initiation after high light intensity. However, these effects of dark treatment depended on light intensity applied in short days before dark treatment. There was an interaction between the duration of darkness applied in photoperiodic treatments and the light intensity applied in short days on tuber initiation. No relationship was observed between the maturity groups of clones tested and their tuber initiation responses. Tight interaction (P≤0.01) of treatments and clones was proved by statistical analysis. Reliable tuberization and high rate of tuberization (1.20–1.52) can be reached using these hormon-free systems.     

Preconditioning and storage of chemically immature Russet Burbank and Shepody potatoes

Russet Burbank and Shepody potatoes of different chemical maturities (i.e. varying sucrose concentrations) at harvest were preconditioned by holding at 15 C for various durations to lower the concentration of reducing sugars to levels acceptable for processing as french fries out of 8 C storage. In chemically immature tubers (i.e. those harvested with a high sucrose), sucrose declined after harvest and stabilized in storage regardless of the preconditioning period. However, there was a temporary small increase in sucrose after harvest in more chemically mature tubers. The concentrations of the reducing sugars glucose and fructose were low at harvest, usually < 1.0 mg g^?1, but increased rapidly during the first 30 to 45 d of storage in tubers with more than 2.0 mg g^?1 sucrose at harvest. Preconditioning for up to 70 d at 15 C either limited the increase in reducing sugars or lowered them more rapidly during storage than when preconditioned for only 14 d. Fresh weight loss of Russet Burbank and Shepody was greater in physically and chemically immature tubers compared to more mature tubers. Extended preconditioning of Russet Burbank and Shepody resulted in minimal additional weight loss.     

Maleic hydrazide effects on tuber yield, sprouting characteristics, and french fry processing quality in various potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) cultivars grown under argentinian conditions

Field trials were carried out during 1995–1998 in commercial crops of five potato cultivars grown at several locations in Argentina to test maleic hydrazide (MH potassium salt, 36% ) effects on tuber yield, sprouting characteristics, and processing quality. MH was applied at growth stage IV, when developing tubers were 40–70 mm, at 9, 10,12 and 14 1 ha^-1 in single or split treatments. MH treatments did not produce phytotoxicity symptoms in the foliage and did not decrease tuber yield. MH increased tuber yield in Kennebec, Russet Burbank and Shepody in several experiments, while not in Atlantic and Ranger Russet. MH treatments delayed initial sprouting date and inhibited sprout growth during storage periods up to 8 months, which resulted in lower weight losses due to sprouting. Tuber dry matter content and fry color were similar or in some cases improved due to MH treatments, while no consistent results were found regarding reducing sugar content.     

Factors influencing PVY development and disease expression in three potato cultivars

Studies were performed to investigate factors affecting symptom expression of potato virus Y infection in three potato cultivars, Russet Norkotah, Shepody, and Red LaSoda. Quantitative enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) results revealed few differences in the relative virus titer among cultivars tested. Potato virus Y (PVY) titers developed as rapidly in Russet Norkotah as in Shepody and Red LaSoda. Additional studies were performed to determine the effect of light intensity and infections of PVY and potato virus X (PVX), alone and in combination, on the expression of mosaic symptoms in these three cultivars. Low light intensity (270-330 uE/m²/sec) significantly increased plant heights and severity of mosaic disease among the cultivars compared to high light intensity (100-200 uE/m²/sec). PVX and PVY, as well as the combination of PVX and PVY in the same plant, decreased plant height compared to the uninoculated (healthy) controls. Low light intensity and dual infections of PVX and PVY significantly increased mosaic disease severity in Shepody and Red LaSoda, but not in Russet Norkotah. Results of these studies refute the suggestion that Russet Norkotah is resistant to PVY infection since virus titers in this cultivar are similar to the known susceptible cultivars Shepody and Red LaSoda. These results further suggest that while Russet Norkotah is fully susceptible to infection by PVY, it resists symptom expression.