Effect of transplant container volume and growing season length on field performance of micropropagated potatoes

Abstract

Micropropagation is a tissue culture technique adapted for the rapid multiplication of disease-free seed stocks. Procedures for propagating potatoes in the laboratory and acclimating plantlets in the greenhouse are available, but information on cultural practices for maximizing tuber yield of plantlets when transplanted to the field is lacking. Centennial Russet and Russet Burbank plantlets were transferred from culture jars to three sizes of transplant containers for establishment under greenhouse conditions before transplanting to the field. Length of field growing season was varied by using two transplant dates and two vine kill dates. Survival of field transplanted plantlets was above 95 percent in both 1983 and 1984. Cultural practices significantly affected the tuber yield of plantlets of both cultivars. Total yield and yield of tubers larger than 35 mm in diameter increased with increasing transplant container volume. Transplant container volume had no effect on the yield of tubers less than 35 mm in diameter. Highest total yields and tuber production per plantlet for both Centennial Russet and Russet Burbank were obtained from the longest growing season (early transplant date with late vine kill). Yield of Russet Burbank plantlets increased more in response to a longer growing season than did Centennial Russet.