Effects of chlorpropham (CIPC) on sprouting of individual potato eyes and on plant emergence

The sprout inhibitor chlorpropham (CIPC) was applied in varying concentrations to individual eyes of potato tubers. Sensitivity of a given eye to CIPC depended upon the status of the remaining eyes on the same tuber. If the remaining eyes were inhibited, higher concentrations of CIPC were required for inhibition of the given eye. Apical eyes were more sensitive to CIPC than were lateral eyes. It was confirmed that CIPC is highly volatile and that contaminating levels of CIPC vapors can induce a rosette sprout growth. Seed potatoes treated with low concentrations of CIPC before planting sprouted more slowly than untreated potatoes, and the delay was related to CIPC concentration. At high CIPC levels, total emergence as well as rate of emergence was reduced. However, emergence was far greater than would have been anticipated from the sprouting of similar treated lots held in storage.