Effects of desprouting on growth and yield of physiologically old seed of the potato variety Ulster Sceptre

Summary Desprouting of physiologically old seed at planting delayed emergence but had no effects on final number of above-ground stems, final number of tubers or leaf dry weight at the end of June. Tuber yields were reduced by desprouting throughout the harvesting period. At the beginning of harvesting desprouted seed had no saleable yield. The results suggest that desprouting delays but does not alter the morphology of plants, nor the growth pattern of physiologically old seed.