Post-harvest characteristics of potato minitubers with different fresh weights and from different harvests. I. Dry-matter concentration and dormancy

Summary Dry-matter concentration and dormancy were studied in minitubers of cvs Agria and Liseta, using five fresh weight classes (<0.50 g, 0.50–0.99 g, 1.00–1.99 g, 2.00–2.99 g and ≥3.00 g) and three successive harvests of the same plantlets. The average dry-matter concentration increased with tuber weight for tubers from the second and third harvests. In minitubers ≥0.5 g, dry-matter concentration was higher in tubers from later harvests. The dormant period (days from harvest to 50% sprouting) was longer in minitubers with lower than higher weights, and longer in tubers from the first harvest than from later harvests. A cold-storage period of 6 weeks, starting 14 days after harvest, reduced the dormant period by an average of 11 days.