Effects of different concentrations of Humi-Fert Ultra organic matter on mini-tuber production of potato cultivars under in vivo condition

Abstract

This study was conducted to evaluate the Humi-Fert Ultra organic matter effects on mini-tuber production of potato cultivars during 2010 and 2011. Seedlings of Agria, Savalan, Marfona and Sprit cultivars were raised using single node cuttings under optimum light intensity and temperature for two months. Then, seedlings were propagated by single node cuttings. Experiment design was factorial based on completely randomized design with three replications of two factors, where the first factor included three levels of Humi-Fert Ultra (0, 2 and 3 ml in 300 L of water) and second factor included four potato cultivars (Agria, Savalan, Marfona and Sprit). The seedlings were planted with 10 cm distances between rows and 10 cm between plantlets in planting beds of Mikskaar peat mass with punce (1:1 v/v) in greenhouse. The Humi-Fert Ultra was used in three germinations, tuberaztion and bulking stages. Analysis of variance showed significant differences between different levels of Humi-Fert Ultra, cultivars and their interaction as traits mini-tuber number and weight per square meter; mini-tuber size average, mini-tuber number 7 g had significant differences. Maximum mini-tuber number and weight per square meter, mini-tuber size average and mini-tuber number between 3 and 7 g was relative to Savalan cultivar in Humi-Fert Ultra with 2 ml per 300 L of water. In this experiment, Humi-Fert Ultra organic matter increased mini-tuber number per square meter in Savalan cultivar with about 420 numbers. Key words: Mini-tuber, potato, Humi-Fert Ultra, organic matter.