Protein,starch, and non-protein nitrogen accumulation in high protein hybrids and low protein cultivars

Tuber protein, starch, non-protein nitrogen and percent dry matter content were measured during tuber development of four Phureja-Tuberosum-Andigena hybrids and two Tuberosum cultivars. Percentages of starch and protein in the tuber dry matter were curvilinearly related to tuber size in all six clones. The amounts of starch and protein in a tuber were linear functions of tuber size. Rates of protein accumulation in some of the hybrids were higher than those of either cultivar. Starch accumulation rates were similar among all six clones. The high protein character of at least one of the hybrids was associated with starch containing storage tissue. Differences between high and low protein clones were mainly related to quantitative differences in the subunit composition of the protein. The ratio of non-protein nitrogen to protein N was similar among the six clones. Relationships between percent dry matter and starch content were not consistent among the six clones.