Effects of spraying mefluidide onto potato foliage

Summary Spraying the growth regulator mefluidide onto potato foliage at 500 or 1000 g/ha on two dates in July after tubers had been initiated did not affect the number, size and yield of tubers or the extent of injuries after mechanical harvesting. The skin of some tubers from sprayed plants was brown and this was more common from plants sprayed on 15 July than on those sprayed two weeks earlier. Spraying at 1000 g/ha decreased the severity of black scurf but increased gangrene.     

Effect of seed tuber and seed piece size on growth and incidence of hollow heart in Norgold Russet potatoes

Small seed pieces decreased yield and number of tubers. Both seed tuber and seed piece size affected the percentage of tubers with hollow heart. Hollow heart increased from 14 to 22% as the seed tuber size increased from 57 to 228 g and decreased from 27 to 19% as the seed piece size increased from 28 to 57 g. The least hollow heart (11%) occurred in tubers of plants grown from 57 g whole seed pieces and the most (26%) in tubers of plants grown from 228 g seed tubers cut into 28 g seed pieces. Hollow heart was positively correlated with the mean tuber size and negatively correlated with the number of mainstems per hill, total yield, and total number of tubers.     

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.     

Relationships between tuber size and time of harvest to hollow heart initiation in Dryland Norgold Russet potatoes

In four years of field trials approximately75% of hollow heart was initiated in tubers between 5.1 and 7.6 cm in diameter. Only rarely was hollow heart initiated in tubers less than 3.8 cm. The frequency of hollow heart was approximately nine times greater in medium sized tubers (6.4 to 7.6 cm) and 34 times greater in large tubers (over 7.6 cm) than in small tubers (5.1 to 6.4 cm). The number of tubers with hollow heart increased linearly through the last five weeks of the growing season. Hollow heart during the four years ranged from 4200 to 31900 tubers/ha or 2.9 to 13.0% of all tubers over 2.5 cm. There were consistent increases in tuber growth between harvests in each season, inferring an absence of severe plant stress and supporting the hypothesis that hollow heart was due to tissue tension associated with tuber enlargement.     

Effect of seed piece population on the yield and processing quality of Russet Burbank potatoes

The effect of seed piece population on tuber yield, size distribution and processing quality of Russet Burbank potatoes grown under nonirrigated conditions in southern Manitoba from 1983 to 1987 was determined. Seed pieces were planted at 21.7, 26.3, 33.3 and 45.5 thousand seed pieces per hectare, and plant emergence generally exceeded 90% of the seed piece population. Marketable tuber (greater than 5 cm in diameter) yields were not affected by seed piece population. As population increased, however, the number of harvested tubers increased and average tuber size decreased, which resulted in a decreased yield of premium tubers (greater than 284 g) and an increased yield of small tubers (less than 5.0 cm in diameter). Specific gravity, the incidence of hollow heart in maingrade (5 cm in diameter to 284 g in weight) and premium tubers, and fry color were not significantly affected by seed piece population. In the one trial tested, sucrose content decreased as population increased, however, this was not reflected in improved fry color after storage.     

The Influence of Plant Growth Regulators and Inflorescence Removal on Plant Growth,Yield, and Skin Color of Red LaSoda Tubers

Foliar applications of the synthetic auxin compound 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) have been used to enhance skin color of red potato cultivars for many years. Relatively, little is known about the mode of action of this compound, but it has been proposed that 2,4-D stimulates ethylene production and enhances the activity of enzymes involved in anthocyanin biosynthesis. The objective of this study was to compare several other plant growth regulators to 2,4-D for their effect on plant growth, tuber yield, and skin color of the light red-skinned cultivar “Red Lasoda.” Trials were conducted in 2010 and 2011 to evaluate the effects of foliar applications of the ethylene-stimulating growth regulator ethephon, the ethylene-inhibitor 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP), and 2,4-D. Manual inflorescence removal was also included as a treatment to determine the influence of anthocyanin sink competition between tubers and flowers on tuber skin color. Ethephon application caused floral abscission in treated plants and reduced plant height compared to other treatments and the non-treated control. While 2,4-D caused foliar injury and ethephon slightly increased the yield of <56 g tubers, neither growth regulator affected total and marketable yield. Both ethephon and 2,4-D increased tuber skin color at harvest compared to the non-treated control. In contrast, 1-MCP and inflorescence removal had no effect on yield, tuber size, and skin color. The results indicate that ethephon and 2,4-D foliar applications have similar effects on skin color and appearance, supporting the hypothesis that 2,4-D works by stimulating ethylene production within the plant.     

Irrigation,nitrogen and gypsum effects on specific gravity and internal defects of Atlantic potatoes

Irrigation, nitrogen and gypsum were investigated in a 3-year study to determine their influence on specific gravity and internal physiological defects. Excess irrigation during August and September reduced specific gravity, increased the incidence of hollow heart, and in some years, internal brown spot. Tuber yields were not significantly affected by excess irrigation. Exclusion of late season irrigation, however, significantly reduced tuber yields. No consistent yield response to nitrogen was evident, but a response up to 168 kg/ha was observed in 1987. Nitrogen rate did not effect hollow heart, internal brown spot or chip color. The incidence of internal brown spot in the tubers of check treatments was quite variable from year to year, and ranged from 8 to 21%. The lowest incidence of internal brown spot observed in 1989 coincided with the highest calcium levels in the tuber peel. Although gypsum treated potatoes had reduced incidence of internal brown spot, the effects were partial and inconsistent. Significant increases in peel and petiole calcium concentrations in the gypsum treated plots only occurred in one year. The peel calcium levels appeared to be influenced more by the season and to a lesser extent by gypsum. Gypsum applications produced no effects on total or US#1 tuber yield, specific gravity, hollow heart, or chip color. Preliminary data also suggested that gypsum did not markedly influence the incidence of blackspot. Based on this study, a routine gypsum application to improve the tuber quality of the variety Atlantic is not recommended.     

Effect of nitrogen,phosphorus, and potassium fertilizers on yield components and specific gravity of potatoes

Netted Gem potatoes were grown at four levels of N, three of P, and two of K fertilizer in metal lysimeters protected from rain by an automatic shelter. The first two increments of N fertilizer, 200 and 400lb/acre (224 and 448 kg/ha), successively increased yields by increasing the number of tubers produced. The first increment also increased the average tuber weight. With 800 lb N/acre (896 kg N/ha), tuber yield and grade of potatoes were reduced from those of the 400-lb/acre (448-kg/ha) treatment becuase the average weight per tuber was reduced. P fertilizer increased yield by increasing the average tuber weight. The increased yield due to N and P fertilizers was almost entirely in the form of Canada No. 1 potatoes. K fertilizer did not affect number or weight of tubers in this high-K soil.     

不同大小整薯播种的产量变异规律及其经济效益——马铃薯整薯播种研究之二

1980～1982年,通过田间试验,对马铃薯不同大小整薯播种的产量变异规律及其经济效益进行了研究。结果表明,生产单位块薯产量所需种薯数量与种薯大小呈极显著的线性关系;马铃薯产量与种薯大小呈渐近状曲线相关;净产量与种薯大小呈抛物线性曲线相关。求得其极大值,3年平均为50.4±3.5克。马铃薯繁殖倍数与种薯大小两者的关系具有双曲线的性质,它在第一象限随种薯大小的增大而递次降低。不同大小种薯所产块茎的商品率3年平均,以111.2克为准时,种薯大小为10,30,50,80和150克,各处理所产块茎商品率依次为88.1,77.6,69.7,62.8和48.7％,以50克为准时,各处理所产块茎商品率依次为99.2,98.4,97.6,96.9和94.0％,都在90％以上。     

Potato (Solanum spp.) production using apical cuttings and tuberlets under three contrasting environments of Vietnam

Potato production from rooted apical cuttings or from small tubers (l–20g) produced in high density beds has great potential in Asia. This is particularly important in non-traditional warmer environments. This research was conducted to assess the feasibility of producing many small tubers in high density beds. A second objective compared tubers from beds with transplanted rooted cuttings and traditional seed tubers for growth and yield in the field. Tuberlet production in beds exceeded 2000/m² with a density of 1000 plants/m² under optimal growing conditions while under high temperatures only about 1.25 tuberlets/plant were produced. In field experiments, transplanted cuttings yielded 20 t/ha in the mid and high elevation areas, only slightly less than tuberlets of 5–10g while at the hot site, yields were generally only 8 to 10 t/ha for both materials. Larger healthy seed tubers produced significantly higher yields at the low and high elevation sites. Tuberlets of 1–5g were also able to give yields of 20 t/ha in the mid-elevation site. These results indicate that cuttings and small tuberlets are two ways of growing potatoes which need to be further evaluated for socioeconomic assessment by farmers.     

Prevention of berry formation in potato plants (Solanum tuberosum L.) by single foliar applications of herbicides or growth regulators

Summary Thre seed production in potato plants (Solanum tuberosum L.) may contribute to the persistence of potato cyst nematodes and of viruses, fungi and bacteria. In four experiments MCPA, ethephon, 2,4D-amine, naphtylacetamide, metoxuron and gibberellic acid were tested for their potential to reduce berry formation. MCPA (500 or 750 g a.i. ha⁻¹ and ethephon (144 or 192 g a.i. ha⁻¹) reduced or almost completely prevented berry set and their effect was strongly influenced by the crop growth stage at the time of application. For both chemicals application at early bud stage was the most effective and, whereas MCPA showed no adverse effects on tuber yield, size, dry matter content and fry colour, ethephon substantially reduced the percentage of large tubers over 50 mm.     

Expression of hollow heart in segregating tetraploid potato families

Expression of hollow heart, a physiological disorder in potato, is controlled by both genotype and environment. Development of high levels of resistance in cultivars would reduce economic yield losses that occur under conditions that promote hollow heart. This experiment was conducted to study hollow heart in segregating populations from parents in a breeding program. Nine families were planted in a replicated trial under dryland conditions and five of those families were also grown at an irrigated location under conditions favoring the expression of hollow heart. As expected, positive correlations between hollow heart and both mean yield and tuber weight were detected; correlations between hollow heart and tuber number were negative. Hierarchical regression analysis was performed on these yield traits to determine the independent contribution of each to the overall results. The highest levels of hollow heart were found in families with susceptible parents, but susceptible clones were obtained in families with two resistant parents. Regardless of the type of cross, selection of clones with large tubers increased the probability of selecting for susceptibility to hollow heart.     

Time of application of fertilizer nitrogen for potatoes in Atlantic Canada

Time of application of fertilizer N on yield of Kennebec potatoes, N content of the plant and specific gravity of tubers were investigated on a sandy loam soil. All N in a band at planting was compared with part at planting plus 1 to 4 supplemental sidedressings at 2 to 8 weeks after emergence. Mean yields for the two-year period showed a significant response to 135 kg/ha of N at planting. Supplemental N as a sidedress had no effect on yield provided the seasonal requirements for the crop were applied at planting time. Concentrations of N in the plant increased with increasing rates of N at planting and generally with sidedress applications. Specific gravity of tubers was lower with high rates of N at planting and with sidedress applications in conjunction with 135 kg/ha at planting. It was concluded that from the standpoint of yield and economic considerations, no advantages accrue from split applications under our soil and environmental conditions.     

Yield and quality of Russet Burbank potato as influenced by interactions ofRhizoctonia,maleic hydrazide,and PCNB

Soil treatment with pentachloronitrobenzene (PCNB) at 22.4 kg/ha a.i. reduced symptoms of theRhizoctonia disease (Rhizoctonia solani Kühn) on potato (Solarium tuberosum L.) and resulted in significant increases in the numbers of stems and stolons. With disease control there was no effect on either total or U.S. #1 yield, but decreases of tuber size were evident and effects were observed on grade. Yield of malformed tubers was reduced by 35%, but this benefit was counteracted by a 41% increase of undersized tubers. Among U. S. 1’s, yield of non-size A’s (113 to 170 g) were increased by 22%, while tubers in optimum size ranges for french fries and bakers (> 284 g) were decreased by 24%. No effect was observed on carton sized tubers (170 to 369 g). Foliar sprays of maleic hydrazide (MH) applied on either of several dates (23 July, 2 Aug., 13 Aug.) at 3.4 kg/ha a.i. reduced total yield by 4.9 to 5.7%, but yields of U.S. #1 potatoes or sizes > 170 g were unaffected. Treatments with MH on either 23 July or 2 Aug. reduced yield of undersized potatoes by 23%. MH treatments did not interact with PCNB treatment to change either total yield or size, but adverse effects on U.S. #1 yields were indicated. MH treatments applied on either 2 Aug. or 13 Aug. reduced U.S. #1 yields among PCNB treated plots by 7 to 10%. MH reduced length/width ratios and, depending on date of application, increased specific gravity. PCNB did not influence tuber shape or specific gravity, but a significant reduction of standard deviations among length/width ratios indicated greater uniformity of shape with treatment.     

The use of additives,temperature, and plant position to increase efficacy of dinoseb for potato (Solanum tuberosum) vine desiccation

Chemical vine desiccation is an important management practice for late season potatoes (Solanum tuberosum L.) in Michigan. A number of desiccants are registered; however, most Michigan growers apply dinoseb (2-sec- butyl-4,6-dinitrophenol). Greenhouse experiments were initiated to evaluate the potential of ammonium salts and ethephon (2-chloroethyl)phosphonic acid) to increase the efficacy of the chemical harvest aids dinoseb and endothall (7-oxabicyclo[2,2,1]heptane-2,3-dicarboxylic acid) on potato vines. Temperature and potato vine position were evaluated to determine their influence on vine desiccation. All treatments with endothall applied at 0.6 kg/ha resulted in unsatisfactory potato vine desiccation. Ethephon and ammonium sulfate increased efficacy of dinoseb. High temperature both before and after treatment contributed to greater dinoseb efficacy. The horizontal placing of potato vines resulted in the desired desiccation rating of 9.0 or greater using the combination of dinoseb at 2.8 kg/ha, plus ammonium sulfate at 9 kg/ha plus 2.4 L/ha X-77 surfactant.³     

The influence of physiological age,stem numbers and fertility on yield and grade of Russet Burbank potatoes

The present study was initiated to determine if increased stem numbers produced by physiologically older seed can be compensated for by increased fertilizer rate. Seed tubers held for 2 months at 16 C (physiological older seed) which averaged 3.7 main stems were compared in yield parameters to physiologically younger seed kept at 4 C (average 2.4 stems). The comparison was made at three levels of fertilizer 0, 140, and 280 kg/ha of nitrogen applied in a 16:16:16 (N-P²O⁵-K²O) formulation. Seed size and spacing were equal. Total and U.S. No. 1 yield were significantly higher for the younger seed. The greatest difference was that the younger seed at 140 kg/ha fertilizer yielded significantly more large size (over 280 g size) tubers than the older seed at equal to or double (280 kg/ha) the fertilizer rate indicating that additional fertilizer was not sufficient to overcome the effects of higher stem numbers from older seed. On the other hand, the older seed produced significantly higher yield of the undesirable small sizes.     

Relationships between weather,plant spacing and the incidence of hollow heart in Norgold Russet potatoes

Partial regression analysis of ten years’ data showed the percent of hollow heart (HH) tubers by weight in Norgold Russet potatoes increased with an increase in number of days and rainfall between tuber initiation and plant killing, and decreased with an increase in plant population and degree day accumulation during the same period. Highly significant third order partial correlation coefficients for these variables with percent HH were: days between tuber initiation and plant killing 0.699, rainfall between tuber initiation and plant killing 0.320, plant population -0.530 and degree day accumulation between tuber initiation and plant killing -0.753. When these variables were used in a multiple linear regression model with% HH as the dependent variable the coefficient of determination (R²) was 0.72. The model was not significantly improved by including solar radiation, yield of tubers, number of tubers, or soil moisture at tuber initiation as other independent variables.     

The effect of stem population on tuber yield in a trial with single-stem seed pieces

Summary Excised eyes on 5 g of seed tuber tissue were used to grow plants with single stems. These were transplanted in the field at densities of 120 000, 180 000 and 240 000 plants/ha, with in-row spacings of 16 or 33 cm. Total tuber yield was not affected, although more tubers were produced at the high densities. Tuber numbers did not increase in proportion to the number of stems. This was due to the fact that the number of tubers per stem decreased from a mean of 4.8 to 2.9 with increasing stem populations.     

Effect of time of desiccation on seed potato yield and size distribution

Field studies in 1981 and 1982 determined the effect of time of top desiccation on yield and size distribution of seed potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) tubers. Kennebec, Sebago and Bintje were top desiccated with diquat at four times (7-day intervals) during the linear tuber bulking phase. The yields and size distributions of tubers harvested 2 wk after spraying were compared to the yield and size distribution in reference plots harvested at the time of spraying. Ease of top desiccation increased with later diquat applications. There was no interaction between the yield increase after spraying and time of spraying. Increases in total yield occurring after diquat application varied with year and among cultivars and averaged 2.3, 3.0, and 3.2 t/ha for Kennebec, Sebago, and Bintje, respectively. There were significant interactions between cultivars and time of desiccant application for yield of seed tubers (35–65 mm). Both time of harvest and desiccation resulted in a decrease in the percentage of total yield of small tubers and an increase in the percentage of large tubers.     

Influence of seedpiece spacing and population on yield, internal quality, and economic performance of Atlantic, Superior, and Snowden potato varieties in eastern North Carolina

In recent stand assessment surveys on North Carolina farms, potato plant stands averaged only 67% of target populations. In response to these findings, this study was designed to determine the effects of seed-piece spacing and varying seedpiece populations on yield, internal quality, and economics of three potato varieties commonly grown in North Carolina: Atlantic; Snowden; and Superior. The three varieties responded differently to changes in spacing and population. Atlantic was sensitive to differences in spacing and populations, with reduced yields of grade A tubers as spacing increased above 23 cm. Atlantic was not able to compensate for wide (46 cm) spacing, even when seed-piece populations were high (doubles planted every 46 cm). Yield of B tubers was greater for 15 cm spacing and decreased significantly as spacing was increased. Yield of Superior was affected less by increases in spacing than decreases in population. Superior was able to compensate for wide gaps in spacing if seedpiece populations were high. Superior produced more B tubers at the 15 cm spacing, and less at the 46 cm spacing. Yield of grade A Snowden tubers did not differ with spacing or population; however, there were more B tubers in the 15 cm, 23 cm, and 46 cm (doubles) treatments than the wider spacing treatments. Incidence of hollow heart and heat necrosis increased in Atlantic in treatments that tended to have larger tubers. Economic analyses of data suggest that growers can significantly increase profit/hectare by optimizing spacing and populations with Atlantic and seedpiece populations in Superior.