Effect of two plant growth regulators on the yield and quality of russet burbank potatoes

Summary Foliar applications of ethephon (ETH) 300 g a.i. ha⁻¹; chlormequat chloride (CCC) 920 g a.i. ha⁻¹, with a second application of 230 g a.i. ha⁻¹ approximately 2 weeks later; and a mixture of the two (ETH/CCC) 156 g a.i. ethephon and 299 g a.i. chlormequat chloride ha⁻¹ were made to field-grown Russet Burbank potatoes in 1986, 1987 and 1989. All the treatments increased the number of tubers set and reduced the average tuber weight compared to the control resulting in a reduction in premium and marketable tubers, and an increase in small tubers. Differences were greatest for ETH and least for CCC. ETH and ETH/CCC decreased the specific gravity, increased the incidence of deformities, and decreased the incidence of tubers with hollow heart. The growth regulators did not affect fry colour.     

Furrow vs hill planting of sprinkler-irrigated russet burbank potatoes on coarse-textured soils

Surface water runoff from the hill, where potatoes are planted, to the furrow may exacerbate potato drought sensitivity. Planting into furrows and constructing midrow ridges may improve water use efficiency and relieve water stress on potato by directing water toward, not away from, the plants. A 3-year field study was conducted to compare yields and tuber size distributions of furrow- and hill-planted potato (Solanum tuberosum L., ‘Russet Burbank’) on coarse-textured, well-drained soils under sprinkler irrigation. A split-plot experimental design with main plots of row orientation (N-S vs E-W) and subplots of planting method (hill and furrow) combined with two planting depths was used at two central North Dakota sites. Except for planting method and limiting the post-emergence cultivation in the furrow treatments, all cultural practices (fertilizer, irrigation, etc.) were identical and corresponded with conventional practices for hill planted potato. Row orientation did not affect yield for any tuber size category. Averaged over 3 years, furrow-planted potato produced 24% larger tubers (188 vs 151 g), 31% smaller yield for tubers <113 g (4.99 vs 7.21 Mg ha^?1), 28% smaller yield for tubers 113 to 170 g (8.14 vs 11.3 Mg ha^?1), 8% larger yields for tubers 170 to 283 g (18.0 vs 16.6 Mg ha^?1), 103% larger yields for tubers 283 to 454 g (10.9 vs 5.36 Mg ha^?1), 341% larger yields for tubers >454 g (2.65 vs 0.60 Mg ha^?1), and 10% larger total yields (46.2 vs 41.9 Mg ha^?1) compared with hill-planted potato. There were no differences in tuber specific gravity. Preliminary soil water measurements indicated an inter-row water-harvesting effect for furrow planting compared with hill planting. The furrow-planting method may offer significant potential for ameliorating the drought sensitivity of potato.     

Potassium fertilizer trials with potatoes on coarse-textured soils in southeastern Idaho

American Journal of Potato Research - Potassium fertilizer needs of potatoes were evaluated with a set of research plots established on coarse textured soils in southeastern Idaho. Over the...     

Effects of differential rates of nitrogen and phosphorus on early blight in potatoes

The Kennebec variety of potato was exposed toAlternana solani inoculum during the 1970 and 1971 seasons to determine the effects of differential rates of nitrogen and phosphorus on the incidence of early blight. Both high nitrogen and low phosphorus treatments significantly reduced the incidence of early blight and the combination of high nitrogen and low phosphorus consistently gave the lowest incidence of the disease during both years. The data suggest that this combination of nutrients may be related to early blight resistance in the plant by extending the period of meristematic activity permitting the plant to wall off infection. Yield data indicated that there was too great a yield difference between fertilization for optimum early blight control and fertilization for optimum yield. Therefore, in Maine, potatoes should be fertilized for optimum yield with a reasonable specific gravity, and early blight should be controlled by the application of fungicides and sanitation measures.     

Fertility and management practices to control verticillium wilt of the russet burbank potato

Management practices for the suppression of Verticillium wilt of Russet Burbank potato include sanitation, use of optimum sprinkler-irrigation practices, soil solarization, and an adequate soil fertility program. Among all cultural factors considered, nitrogen (N) deficiency in potato tissue was most commonly associated with the severity of Verticiilium wilt in Russet Burbank potato. Field studies have shown that increased N availability suppresses Verticiilium incidence on cv Russet Burbank while having no effect on cv Norgold Russet. Studies from both greenhouse and field show that the colonization ofV dahliae in potato stem tissue is suppressed in cv Russet Burbank when the availability of Phosphorous (P) is increased to the optimum. Following one season of cropping with Russet Burbank potato, the treatment providing the optimal N availability also suppressed the increases ofV dahliae populations in the soil during the following year of consecutive cropping. Similarly, after two seasons of continuous potato cropping, treatments with optimal P had lower soil populations ofV. dahliae in soil. Results show the suppression of Verticiilium wilt with optimal fertility. Verticiilium wilt [caused by eitherVerticiilium dahliae Kleb, (microsclerotial form) orVerticiilium albo- atrum Reinke and Berthold (dark mycelial form)] is one of the most severe diseases of potato in the United States. Potato yields, tuber size, and specific gravity may be substantially reduced by this disease, depending on severity, time of occurrence, and growing season. In Idaho and other arid growing regions of the United States, Verticiilium wilt is caused byVerticillium dahliae Kleb. Idaho field studies involving cropping practices, soil fumigation treatments, solarization, and Verticillium-resistant potato clones all support the importance ofV dahliae upon potato yield. Data from these studies show that yield losses due toV. dahliae commonly approximate 5 to 12 metric T/ha (5, 6). Table 1 illustrates the effect of several cropping practices upon relativeV dahliae populations in soil with the effects upon both disease severity and potato yield. With continuous cropping of Russet Burbank,V dahliae populations in soil increased, and yields were reduced by 18 to 19 metric Tlha when compared to locations that had been allowed to remain either weed-free and fallow or where corn had been previously cropped. It was estimated thatV dahliae was influencing yield by about 10 to 12 metric Tlha based on a regression analysis of yield as a function ofV dahliae populations in soil. Similarly, whenV dahliae was suppressed by fumigation treatments involving mixtures of dichloropropene and picfume, yields more significantly increased by 6.5 to 12 metric T/ha (5). Although many factors may influence yields, clones with higher Verticillium resistance than Russet Burbank generally out-yield Russet Burbank. Figure 1 demonstrates the effect of solarization (a technique involving the laying of clear plastic on soil for the purpose of elevating soil temperatures to killV dahliae). When Verticillium was controlled in this manner (lo), there was no significant yield difference between the Russet Burbank potato and the highly resistant A68113-4 clone. The A68113-4 clone grown in non-solarized soil out-yielded the Russet Burbank in non-solarized soil by 31 percent while the solarization treatment significantly increased yield for the Russet Burbank and A68113-4 clones by 46 and 18 percent, respectively. These yield responses were observed in a field where inoculum levels ofV dahliae were relatively low (2.10 cfulgrn of soil). With these losses, the need to develop control procedures is great and to achieve this control the need also exists to accurately evaluate the effect of treatments uponV dahliae. Our Idaho studies have routinely utilized such a procedure (9) in combination with comparisons of both disease severity and yield.     

Sources of fertilizer nitrogen and phosphorus for potatoes in Atlantic Canada

The performance of ammonium, nitrate, ammonium plus nitrate, and urea as sources of nitrogen in combination with superphosphate, monoammonium, and diammonium phosphates for potato production was measured on two soil types in New Brunswick. No N or P sources produced any indication of abnormal plant growth. Yields, specific gravity of tubers and N, K and Mg contents of plant petioles were similar for all N and P combinations. The P content of the plant was higher with ammonium nitrate or urea as N source and with monoammonium or diammonium phosphate as P source. Ca content was higher with N from sodium nitrate and P from superphosphate. It was concluded that availability and costs of fertilizer materials could become a dominant factor in selectng N and P carriers. With no significant cost differential, a preference was indicated for low-risk materials as reflected by reports of damage to developing seedlings and of reduced yields.     

Comparative growth analysis of Russet Burbank potatoes at two Idaho locations

Detailed growth analyses were conducted with Russet Burbank potato to provide validation and parameterization data for a computer growth model being developed cooperatively at the University of Idaho and University of California, Davis. At each of two locations (Aberdeen and Kimberly, Idaho) plants were sampled seven times at about two-week intervals. Plants were separated into individual leaf blades, petioles, internodes, tubers, and roots. Leaf area indices and leaf elevation angles were determined in 20 cm strata. Plants at Kimberly emerged approximately 10 days prior to those at Aberdeen. At both locations, the increase in total dry weight was curvilinear for 30–40 days after emergence and then was linear until the end of the study. The maximum top weight per hill was slightly higher at Aberdeen, but near-maximum values occurred for much longer at Kimberly. Total leaf area at Aberdeen reached a maximum of approximately 4.0, while the maximum at Kimberly was 5.5. Root dry weight reached a maximum much earlier at Kimberly and the change in root dry weight paralleled that of tops in both places. Tuber initiation occurred approximately 19 June at both locations. Following an initial increase, tuber number/hill decreased for several weeks. Final tuber numbers per hill were approximately six at Aberdeen and 12 at Kimberly. Dry weight per tuber showed a curvilinear increase for 20–30 days and then was constant at 0.68 and 0.37 g/tuber.day at Aberdeen and Kimberly, respectively. Bulking rates were 17 and 21 g/m².day. Final yields were 39 T/ha at Aberdeen and 49 T/ha at Kimberly. The higher final tuber yield at Kimberly was the result of a higher rate of bulking and a longer leaf area duration.     

Response of potatoes (cv russet burbank) to supplemental calcium applications under field conditions: Tuber calcium, yield, and incidence of internal brown spot

Potato tuber tissue is low in calcium as compared to leaves and stems. Several recent studies have provided evidence linking tuber quality with tuber tissue Ca concentration. The purpose of the present study was to determine the influence of supplemental Ca and N fertilization on tuber Ca concentration and internal brown spot of potato. Three soluble products (calcium nitrate, calcium chloride, and N-Plus; 9N:0K:0P:11Ca) were used as Ca sources with and without gypsum. In addition, a combination of calcium chloride, urea, and calcium nitrate (CUC) was also used without gypsum. Each treatment consisted of five replications, which received the same total amount of N (252 kg ha^?1) supplied either alone or in various combinations of ammonium nitrate, urea, calcium nitrate, calcium chloride, and N-Plus. The soluble sources of Ca were added at 68.8 to 168.0 kg ha^?1 while gypsum supplied Ca at 49 kg ha^?1. The application of all N by hilling (non-split) was compared to split application of N and Ca at hilling and 2, 4, and 6 wk after hilling. Tubers were mechanically harvested and graded according to industry standards. About 100 U.S. No. 1 tubers from each replication were cut in half along the longitudinal axis and visually inspected for internal defects. From each replication, non-periderm tissue from 15 tubers was combined for Ca analysis. There was no treatment effect on tuber yield in both years. Application of gypsum, either alone or in combination with the soluble sources, was not effective in reducing incidence of internal brown spot (IBS). Furthermore, with one exception, application of gypsum either alone or in combination with soluble sources of Ca was not effective at increasing tuber tissue Ca concentration. Combined analyses of data from 2 years showed that the application of soluble sources of Ca without gypsum increased tuber Ca concentration and decreased the incidence of IBS. Furthermore, split application of N had similar beneficial effects as compared to non-split N. Data from 1997 (a year with high IBS) gave a significant inverse relationship between tuber Ca and IBS, suggesting that an increase in tuber Ca can reduce IBS incidence.     

Interrelations between nitrogen and phosphorus fertilization and early blight control of potatoes

Three different rates of soil-applied nitrogen were combined in all possible combinations with different schedules of fungicidal sprays for early blight (Alternaria solani) control in field experiments for three consecutive years. The nitrogen was applied with a constant rate of phosphorus. Yield response to fungicidal sprays was more pronounced when potato plants had received nitrogen and phosphorus. Both spraying and fertilizer application reduced the percentage of leaflets infected by early blight. However, the effect of the fungicide was greater than that of fertilizers. Estimates based on the cost and price assumptions indicated that $1.00 investment in the optimum number of fungicidal sprays at the adequate rate of fertilizer returned $8.34, $9.71 and $1.89 in 1970, 1971 and 1972, respectively.     

Differences in growth and metabolism of potatoes grown in the mountains and in the lowlands

Summary In parallel with the dwarfing effect of mountain environment on potatoes, virus development within the plants was inhibited. Tubers from crops grown in the mountains consistently had a low phosphorus and organic-acid content. When seed from these crops was grown in the lowlands the content of both phosphorus and organic acids in the tubers was higher as was their respiration rate. The probability that virus multiplication within the plant is dependent on factors affecting growth is discussed.

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Zusammenfassung Eine enge negative Korrelation wurde festgestellt zwischen den H?henlagen der Karpaten und dem durchschnittlichen Ertrag der KartoffelsortenAckersegen, Voran undEpoka (Tab. 1). Wurde Pflanzgut aus Lagen über 400 m ü. M. in einer Region von 200 m ü. M. ausgepflanzt, so führte dies zu einer betr?chtlichen Ertragserh?hung im Nachbau (Abb. 2 und 4). In H?hen zwischen 400 und 1200 m ü. M. war die Virusvermehrung in Kartoffelpflanzen gehemmt (Abb. 1). Neben der Wachstumshemmung durch die Umweltsverh?ltnisse in den H?henlagen und der stimulierenden Wirkung auf das Saatgut (wenn es im Tiefland ausgepflanzt wurde), konnten auch Unterschiede im Stoffwechsel der Knollen in Abh?ngigkeit von der H?henlage beobachtet werden. Knollen aus Best?nden, die in drei aufeinanderfolgenden Jahren in H?henlagen zwischen 400–1200 m ü. M. gewachsen waren, wiesen im Vergleich zu jenen aus dem Tiefland einen niedrigen Phosphorgehalt (Tab. 2) und einen hohen Kaligehalt auf. Wenn Knollen aus Lagen über 400 m ins tiefland versetzt wurden, stieg der Phosphorgehalt, und der Kaligehalt nahm ab (Tab. 3). Parallel mit dem Phosphor-und Kaligehalt wurden auch der Gehalt an organischen S?uren und die Respirationsrate der Knollen durch die Umweltsverh?ltnisse in den H?henlagen beeinflusst. In Berglagen zeigte die SorteEpoka einen sehr niedrigen Gehalt an organischer S?ure und eine kleine Respirationsrate der Knollen (Tab. 4); wenn die Knollen jedoch in Krakau ausgepflanzt wurden, stiegen beide Werte betr?chtlich, ebenso der Ertrag. Die SorteAckersegen reagierte unterschiedlich (Tab. 7). Verglichen mit gesunden Knollen war bei virusinfizierten Kartoffeln eine deutliche Zunahme im Phosphor-und Kaligehalt festzustellen, begleitet von einer Abnahme an organischen S?uren und einem Absinken der Respirationsrate (Tab. 5). Die Wahrscheinlichkeit, dass die Virusvermehrung in der Pflanze von Faktoren abh?ngt, die das Wachstum beeinflussen, witd diskutiert.

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Résumé Il existe une étroite corrélation négative entre l'altitude dans les monts Carpathes et la production moyenne des variétés de pomme de terreAckersegen, Voran etEpoka (Tableau 1). Le transfert de plants de sites au-dessus de 400 m dans une région à 200 m cause un considérable accroissement de production dans les récoltes suivantes (Fig. 2 et 4). Le développement des viroses est inhibé dans les plants de pomme de terre poussés à des altitudes entre 400 et 1.200 m (Fig. 1). Outre l'effet de nanisme du milieu “montagne” et son action stimulante sur les plants transférés en plaine, des différences s'observent dans le métabolisme des tubercules poussés à de différentes altitudes. Les tubercules issus de récoltes poussées pendant trois années successives à des niveaux variant entre 400 et 1.200 m avaient une basse teneur en phosphore et une haute teneur en potassium comparativement à ceux poussés en plaine (Tableau 2). Quand les plants étaient transférés en plaine à partir de sites au-dessus de 400 m, la teneur en phosphore du tubercule augmentait et la teneur en potassium diminuait (Tableau 3). Parallèlement aux teneurs en phosphore et en potassium, la teneur en acide organique et la vitesse de respiration étaient également affectées par le milieu “montagne”. Chez la variétéEpoka, poussée en montagne, la teneur en acides organiques et la vitesse de respiration des tubercules se trouvaient à un niveau très bas (Tableau 4); mais, après transfert à Cracovie, les deux caractères montraient un accroissement considérable, ainsi d'ailleurs que la production. La variétéAckersegen réagissait différemment (Tableau 7). Comparés aux tubercules sains, les tubercules infectés de virus montraient un accroissement limité en phosphore et potassium qui s'accompagnait d'une diminution des acides organiques et d'une chute de la vitesse de respiration (Tableau 5). Est discutée la probabilité que la multiplication du virus dans la plante dépend des facteurs affectant la croissance.

     

Relation between growth conditions and dormancy of seed potatoes. 1. Effects of nitrogen

Summary The duration of dormancy of seed potatoes varies between years and between origins. Therefore, the effects of conditions during crop growth on dormancy of progeny tubers were studied. The effect of nitrogen during tuber bulking on the duration of dormancy was investigated in three field experiments with two cultivars. In addition to an application of 125 kg N/ha at planting, top dressings of 0–150 kg N/ha were given about 2 weeks after tuber initiation. Haulm was pulled about 4 weeks later. The effect of nitrogen rate at planting was also examined in one experiment. Nitrogen top dressings shortened dormancy in all experiments by 5–8 days. An increased nitrogen rate at planting resulted in a shorter dormancy when the duration of dormancy was expressed in days after tuber initiation, but not when it was expressed in days after haulm pulling, probably because extra nitrogen also delayed tuber initiation.     

Some properties of soils affecting russet scab and silver scurf of potatoes

The relationship of soil ammonia, nitrates, pH, total bacteria,Streptomyces sp., temperature and moisture on the incidence of russet scab and silver scurf of potatoes was studied. The soil properties were changed by the addition of various levels of alfalfa, wheat straw and green rye residues. Within the limits of the changes caused by these residues, the most consistent relationship was found between the nitrate level in the soil and russet scab, and to a lesser extent, silver scurf. In both instances there was a general decrease in russet scab and silver scurf with increasing levels of nitrates. Also, in the only comparison made, an increasing total bacterial count in the soil resulted in a decreasing level of infection from silver scurf. In some instances the alfalfa, rye and straw residue applications caused small changes in soil pH, soil temperature, and soil moisture. These changes were not great enough to show any consistent significant relationship to russet scab or silver scurf, except for a significant negative correlation between soil moisture at the 6-inch level and silver scurf in both years.     

Cropping sequence studies on coarse textured soils in southeastern Idaho

A study was initiated in 1969 to compare potato-grain rotations with continuous cropping to potatoes on coarse textured soils, both with and without fumigation. Results of 5 years of this study show annual cropping to potatoes did not reduce yield or quality of tubers produced when compared with the potato-grain rotations. No beneficial effects were observed from soil fumigation treatments.