Variation of vine and tuber yield as a function of harvest date and cultivar

The possibility of using potato vines as a source of protein and silage for animal feed is encouraging. The potential of this approach is partially dependent on the development of cultivars that have large vines and at the same time produce good tuber yields. Twelve cultivars, including three commercial varieties, one advanced breeding selection, and eight experimental tetraploids (hybrids between cultivars and Phureja-haploid Tuberosum clones with parallel spindles) were grown at the Hancock Experimental Station. The vines and tubers from four blocks were harvested every 15 days from 75–135 days after planting. Clones that were relatively late maturing were most suitable for vine harvesting. The total yield of vines plus tubers was highest at 105 and 120 days. Russet Burbank yielded 218 cwt of vines and 465 cwt of tubers at 120 days; similar values for the best experimental tetraploid were 450 cwt and 784 cwt at 120 days; thus, the best cultivar produced 123,400 1b of plant material in 120 days. While processing procedures and palatability of the vine products remain undefined, the existence of clones producing high vine and tuber yields has been demonstrated.