Foliar calcium concentration of potato and its relation to genotype lateness and tolerance of cyst nematodes

Abstract

In field trials during three years respectively 18, 22 and 57 potato genotypes were grown on soils moderately or heavily infested with potato cyst nematodes (Globodera pallida) after soils were fumigated or not. Nematode infection increased leaf calcium contents but genotypes that were relatively tolerant of potato cyst nematodes (Globodera pallida) had lower leaf calcium concentrations on a particular sampling date. Tolerance of potato cyst nematodes was closely linked to genotype lateness and may be related to tolerance of drought. When using the method in plant breeding and screening for genotypes with tolerance, plants may be planted in infected or in uninfected soils, without influencing the outcome. The relationship between tolerance and calcium contents was clearest when sampling took place towards the end of the growing season when the variability was at it highest with a good distinction between newly formed leaves in late maturing genotypes and aged leaves in early maturing cultivars.