Influence of selective stolon removal and partial stolon excision on yield and tuber size distribution in field-grown potato cv. Record

Summary The effects of excising stolon apices, or entire stolons, on tuber yield and size distribution were examined forSolanum tuberosum L. cv. Record. Excision of the apex of all primary stolons did not significantly affect final tuber yield and number, new tubers forming on branches of the primary stolon. Complete removal of the primary stolon, leaving only secondary stolons at each node, produced large and significant losses in tuber yield and number. Removal of tuber initials from the primary stolons significantly reduced yield but not tuber number. Although number was unaffected by removal of the primary stolon apex, tuber size grade distributions were significantly altered in all stolon excision treatments. The results point to the importance of primary stolons as tuber-bearing sites and emphasise the plasticity in tuber formation at a single node.