Seed Tubers Research Articles

Differential growth and yield responses of local potato cultivars from basic seed tubers

ABSTRACT Potato quality of seed tubers is a determinant factor that allows obtaining high yields, and its use must be a priority for a country or a producing region. Lack of information about how local cultivars perform differentially according to the environment has been identified in order to support potential seeds production programs. The research was carried out in 2018 at the Obonuco Research Center of Corporación Colombiana de Investigación Agropecuaria (AGROSAVIA), with the aim of analyzing the growth and yield of basic tuber seeds of five potato (Solanum tuberosum spp. andigena) cultivars. 1,080 seed tubers from each cultivar (treatments) were planted in a completely randomized block design and three replications. Mean comparison Tukey-Kramer (p≤0.05) test was performed for the yield analysis. From emergency to final harvest, destructive sampling was carried out every fifteen days in order to calculate dry matter and leaf area and establish growth models based on the accumulated degree-days (DD). The yield and proportion of seed tubers per plant were determined according to local resolution for seed certification in Colombia. Growth variables fitted better with the Hoerl, Gaussian, and third-degree polynomial models. The leaf area index of the potato cultivars reached the maximum value at 876 DD, with values ranging from 2.91 to 6.11 DD. The highest yield per plant was obtained by the Ica Única cultivar (2.73 kg plant-1). However, this cultivar showed the lowest percentage of seed tubers, with 50.59% compared to the others, which ranged between 80.82 and 87.40%. Differential potato growth responses through models based on the DD would explain the differences in final yield and seeds tuber production.

Yield and Yield Contributing Attributes Of Potato as Influenced by Vermicompost And Seed Tuber Size

Low yield is crucial bottleneck for potato production in Bangladesh. The application of vermicompost may enhance the yield of potato. The experiment was consisted of two factors, i.e., Factor A: - Vermicompost level (Vm1-4): Vm1: 0 t ha-1, Vm2: 3 t ha-1, Vm3: 6 t ha-1 and Vm4: 9 t ha-1; Factor B:- Tuber size (T1-5): T1: 5-10 g, T2: 10-20 g, T3: 20-30 g, T4: 30-40 g and T5: > 40 g. The experiment was conducted in a split-plot design with three replications. Vermicompost had significant effect on most of the yield contributing parameters investigated under present study. Results revealed that yield parameters increased with increasing vermicompost level irrespective of tuber size. Among the twenty (20) treatment combinations, vermicompost at the rate of 9 t ha-1 with tuber size > 40 g produced the maximum yield (31.33 t ha-1) that was 53.53 % higher than that of control with 3273.01 $ of monetary advantage. Therefore, present study suggests that potato growers may use vermicompost for increasing yield of potato in Bangladesh. SAARC J. Agric., 19(1): 71-79 (2021)

Development of a Tuber Planter to Plant and Push Down Sweetpotato Seed Tubers

Development of a Tuber Planter to Plant and Push Down Sweetpotato Seed Tubers

Immersion in 6-Benzylaminopurine for Dormancy Release and Initiation of Potato Sprouts at Various Tuber Weight and Storage Duration

One of the main obstacles in providing quality potato seed tubers is the long dormancy period of the potato seeds. A study that explores this has been carried out to elucidate the response of dormancy release and initiation of potato sprouts to the differences in tuber weight and storage duration before immersion in cytokinin (6-benzylaminopurine). The study was conducted at the seed warehouse UPT Horticulture Parent Seed Kutagadung Berastagi, Department of Food and Horticulture of North Sumatra Province, from November 2018 to January 2019. The research was carried out with a factorial completely randomized design with two factors, namely (i) tuber weight, consisting of 4 levels [25-35 g, 55-65 g, 85-95g, and 115-125 g]; and (ii) tuber storage duration before immersion in 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) solution, consisting of 5 levels [control (without immersion), 1, 15, 30, and 45 days after harvest]. Tuber weight, storage duration before immersion, and the interaction of the two factors showed significant effects in dormancy breaking time, germination percentage, germination rate, number of sprouts, and length of sprouts. The number and length of the sprouts increased with the increasing tuber weight and storage duration before immersion in BAP.
 Keywords: cytokinin, germination, Solanum tuberosum L., tuber seeds

Review of different propagation media for potato mini tuber production under screen house

Scarcities of healthy and quality potato tuber seeds are the problem of the production of potatoes in the world. Especially, in developing countries it is a serious problem that cause decline in the production and productivity of the potatoes and hampers the profits of producers. To alleviate this problem, many countries produce the mini tubers in screen house from diseases-free planting materials in pots or seed bade made of pathogen-free media. Most reviewed papers indicated that a media used to grow potato in screen houses are made of a combination of different substrates for the suitability of the crop gown on it as it provides sufficient nutrients, aeration, support, and water. Developed countries use rock wool, vermiculite, peat, and other expensive media made by factories while the underdeveloped use cheap materials that are easily available in their surroundings like forest soil, sand, compost, and FYM (farm yard manure). There is also limited research concerning these materials in developing countries, especially, about the ratio of mixing and types to be mixed. The expensive materials used for pot media making are not found in Ethiopia though there are surplus raw materials. Therefore, this review was conducted to assess the information available about the different screen house growing media used worldwide and conceptualize for future utilization. It is concluded that researchers should work on the availability of healthy and quality tuber seed by increasing the numbers produced in screen house through agronomic and other techniques of production solving problems related to potting media.

Propagation by Stem Cuttings of Tropaeolum pentaphyllum Lam. (Crem): An Alternative for Production of Seed Tubers

The herbaceous vine Tropaeolum pentaphyllum Lam. (Tropaeolaceae), popularly known as crem, has great potential for use, especially its tubers. However, there is still a lack of studies regarding this species. The objective of this study was to test the viability of propagation by stem cuttings for the production of T. pentaphyllum seed tubers. Two experiments were carried out in a greenhouse under controlled conditions. In both experiments, experimental design was completely randomized. In the first one, five treatments were evaluated (stem cuttings with 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30 cm) with three replicates, each one with 10 stem cuttings. In the second experiment, three treatments were evaluated (stem cuttings positions: apical, middle and basal), with four replications, each one with 10 stem cuttings. Data were submitted to analysis of variance (ANOVA) and the means were compared by Tukey’s test (p < 0.05). Stem cuttings with 15 cm length had the highest rate of tuber formation (20.0%) and produced tubers with highest mass (3.2 g). Cuttings from the middle portion of the stem had the highest rooting (52.5%) and tuber formation (45.0%) rates. Thus, cuttings with 15 cm length from the middle portion of the stem are indicated for propagation by cuttings of T. pentaphyllum. Considering the potential for the use of this species in the future, the results found in this study are very important, since the propagation by cuttings would enable the production of a large amount of seed tubers in a short period of time.

Spread of bacterial wilt disease of potato in the highlands of Fouta Djalon, Republic of Guinea

Bacterial wilt in potato (Solanum tuberosum) is caused by Ralstonia solanacearum in the highlands of Fouta Djalon in Guinea. The disease causes 50-70% loss of potato in Guinea. The bacterium is transmitted either by imported tuber seeds or through seed exchanges between the farmers themselves from a contaminated area to bacteria-free areas or through irrigation waters along the fields. This is mainly a consequence of the informal potato seed system that prevails in Guinea. Because of the high price of seeds, farmers use several sources of supply. However, potato is an attractive cash crop in Guinea and the most important economic crop in Fouta Djalon. Most populations in the middle Guinea utilizes potato. The potato farmer's organization in Guinea, FPFD (Fédération des Producteurs du Fouta Djalon), is a model in West African sub-region because of its dynamism and organization with its 500 groups, 25 unions and more than 25,000 members. Training of potato growers in certified seed production techniques remains a major problem in Guinea that needed to be solved. This information is important for developing bacterial wilt disease management strategies through the training of farmers and state support for research.

Planting distance and tuber size affected the productivity of Lansuna local variety of red onion (Allium ascolonicum L.)

Shallot Lansuna local variety is trendy among farmers in Minahasa Regency because it adaptable to all seasons. This study aimed to evaluate planting distance and tuber size on the productivity of local variety onion of Lansuna. It was conducted from April to November 2017 in the Tonsewer Village, Minahasa Regency, using randomized design factorial groups with three replications. The first factor was planting distances of 20 cm x 20 cm and 20 cm x 25 cm, and the second factor was the size of tubers (large, medium and small). Thus, there were six treatment combinations. The results showed that the planting distances and tuber sizes did not significantly affect the agronomic components (plant height, number of leaves, and number of tubers) and production components (gross weight and net weight). However, the planting distance of 20 cm x 20 cm in combination with larger tuber seeds had the highest yield (26.17 t ha−1) followed by medium tuber seeds (15.79 t ha−1) and small tuber seeds (12.42 t ha−1). The study suggests that Shallot local variety Lansuna should be cultivated using 20 cm x 20 cm spacing distance and larger tuber seeds whenever possible.

Role of Virus Infection in Seed Tubers, Secondary Spread and Insecticidal Spray on the Yield of Potato in Deccan Plateau, India

Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) is an important food and cash crop of India. An important constraint in potato cultivation in Deccan Plateau of India is non-availability of quality seed tubers. Many certified cultivars are readily available, but their quality check pertaining to viral infection is neglected. This study was made to determine the infection level of potato viruses in certified seed potatoes of Kufri Jyoti, a popular cultivar of the Deccan Plateau region. The seed tubers were originally collected from selected stores of Hassan and Chikkamagaluru markets, from where the growers procure seeds for cultivation, and tested for PVY and PLRV viruses through DAC-ELISA. The highest prevalence was of PVY (59.1% to 66.9%), whereas 15.2% to 19.8% of PLRV infection was found. As these infected tubers serve as a major source for field incidence of viruses, further studies were made in the field. The influence of PVY infection level in seed tubers on the secondary spread, growth and yield parameters was determined. Virus incidence was lowest (27.1%) in potato plants grown from tubers with 0% PVY infection but increased steadily with 10, 30 and 50%, and the highest incidence (100%) was with 100% infected tubers. The incidence and spread of virus in the field could be explained by both prior infections of seed tubers with PVY and field transmission through aphids. The slowest plant growth and lowest tuber yield were recorded with tubers having 100% infection of PVY. This study strongly emphasized the need to refocus on improving the health status of seed tubers, on farm management of aphids, and spread of virus.

Assessment of physiological age and antioxidant status of new somatic hybrid potato seeds during extended cold storage

Yield components of potato are largely affected by the physiology age of the tuber seeds at planting. The current study focuses on monitoring seed tuber aging in two CN1 and CN2 somatic hybrid lines and Spunta (Sp) variety during 270 days of storage at 4 °C. Aging rate was monitored based on sprouting, emergence and tissue oxidation rates. Investigation of sprouting parameters such as physiological age index (PAI) considering physiological and chronological age and the incubation period (IP) indicated lower physiological age in hybrids than in Sp during the storage. Moreover, these analyses showed that off-seasonal growing conditions increased the aging, more clearly, in Sp tubers than in hybrid ones. However, dormancy periods (endodormancy and after storage dormancy) were equivalent in the different tuber lots. PAI and IP data when combined with those from emergence parameters (duration until emergence and stem number) seem more efficient for the characterization of the different potato lines. However, emergence indicators, when considered separately, were not able to distinguish clearly between seasonal and off-seasonal tubers. Data suggest that hybrid seeds exhibited high performances since they produced higher stem number per plant than Sp. The high aging rate in Sp tubers seems to be associated with the few developed stems. Biochemical analyses supported in part morphophysiological differences between hybrids and Sp seeds although these indicators seem more sensitive to aging. Indeed data showed that the dormancy break, and then, the development were associated with some level of tissue oxidation. Antioxidants such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPX) and carotenoids seem more enhanced after the release of dormancy. However, induction of these activities started earlier in off-seasonal tubers than in seasonal ones, this was consistent with their advanced aging level revealed by PAI and IP data. Activation of these antioxidants appears to respond effectively to the increase of ROS suggesting a better control of postharvest development and tissue deterioration especially in CN2 off-seasonal tubers. This study suggests that CN2 followed by CN1 exhibited the best performance compared to Sp variety.

Effort to increase shallot productivity using true shallot seed (TSS) from the superior varieties supporting Proliga

Lack of high quality/certified seed is an important constraint in shallots farming. One potential alternative technologies to be developed is the use of botanical seeds (TSS = True Shallot Seed). Stated that the cultivation of shallots using TSS is expected to cut the shallots production chain so that shallots production is stable and available throughout the year. So that the seed planted TSS can be directly used as tuber production. The assessment was done using split plot design. The main plot is two shallot varieties namely Trisula and Bima Brebes. The sub plot is four cropping systems that direct planting of seeds TSS, transplanting, planting mini bulbs, and large bulbs as a control. Parameters measured were plant growth and bulbs production, as well as input-output data. Data collected from some of the observed variables then tabulated and analyzed using SAS 9.1. software. Variety Test between treatment effect was done by using Duncan Multiple Range Test (DMRT) at the level of 95%. The results showed that the treatment by using mini tuber seeds gave the highest productivity on Trisula varieties (12.87 t / ha), followed by TSS treatment of Bima Brebes varieties with transplanting (6.78 t / ha). The results of this studied were the four applied shallot cultivation systems, the use of mini tubers as one of shallot cropping system with seeds from TSS gives the highest productivity (12.87 t / ha).

The effect of the weight of potato tuber seeds and the duration of cytokinin application on potato tuber (Solanum tuberosum L.) dormancy release

Potato seeds function as the main production medium in the plant cultivation which requires application of plant growth substances as stimulator of grow. This study aims to determine the effect of tuber weight and cytokinin immersion treatment time on breaking the dormancy period of potato tuber. This research was carried out at the seed warehouse of UPT Benih Induk Hortikultura Kutagadung Berastagi. This research was conducted using factorial completely randomized design, with 2 factors. The first factor, the weight of potato tubers of 4 levels and the second factor, cytokinin immersion time of 5 levels. The results showed that the fastest dormancy breaking was on the 45 DAH immersion i.e. 61.75 days, 12.58 days faster than without immersion, or 6.42 days faster than the 1 DAH immersion treatment. The fastest dormancy breaking is in potato tuber weighing 115-125 g (60.07 days), 13.47 days faster than tuber weighing 25-35 g. The fastest dormancy breaking was at B4W4 treatment (55 days). The number and weight of sprouts increases with increasing immersion time, and with increasing tuber weight.

Impact of UV-C Irradiation of Potato Seed Tubers on the Defects in Potato Plant Crops

AbstractThe purpose of the paper was to determine the impact of UV-C irradiation of seed potatoes on the formation of tuber defects in the progeny crop. The field experiment was carried out in 2016-2018, and the object of research was potato plants of the Vineta, Lord and Owacja varieties. Different heights of the UV-C radiator above the chamber bottom (40-100 cm) and exposure times (1-30 min.) were used. Data was analyzed with the STATISTICA 13.3 program, at the assumed significance level α = 0.05, using a non-parametric test χ2for multidimensional contingency tables. In the scope of the parameters of the chamber for UV irradiation of plant material adopted in the experiment, no statistically significant UV-C effect on potato tuber defects was demonstrated. In the potato tuber crop of the examined varieties, shape deformations in the form of kidney and spindle disease were identified. The crop of potato obtained from seed potatoes irradiated with UV-C demonstrated a lower percentage of deformed tubers, as compared to the control combination.

Sprout Growth Inhibition and Photomorphogenic Development of Potato Seed Tubers (Solanum tuberosum L.) Under Different LED Light Colours

Green-sprouting potato seed tubers in light and elevated temperatures are vital for production in short-season climates. Using light-emitting diodes (LEDs) to inhibit sprout elongation during pre-sprouting may represent an energy-efficient alternative to traditional indoor light sources. Sprout growth inhibition and some photomorphogenic responses were therefore examined in potato cultivars exposed to LEDs of different wavelength maxima and irradiance rates. Red LED (660 nm) produced the strongest inhibition of sprout elongation at very low irradiances 10–100 nmol m−2 s−1, while far-red LED (735 nm) produced the strongest inhibition at higher irradiances. This inhibitory pattern was similar in all cultivars, although the degree of inhibition varied. The colour of sprouts and tuber skin remained etiolated under far-red LED, in contrast to LEDs between 380 and 660 nm which developed green colour intensity in an irradiance-dependent manner. Mixtures of red and far-red light, and pulses including red/far-red reversals did not produce stronger inhibition, except in some instances where total fluence was increased. Furthermore, green-sprouting under different LED colours did not seem to affect subsequent emergence and growth after planting. The current results suggest an involvement of multiple phytochromes in de-etiolation and sprout growth inhibition in seed potato tubers, which may be selectively utilised in LED-based green-sprouting in red and far-red wavelengths.

Performance and Poduction of G2 Potato Tuber Seeds Using Diference Seed Sources

Produksi benih G2 kentang (Solanum tuberosum L.) menggunakan umbi dan setek dari dua varietas lokal dilakukan untuk mengetahui keragaan dan produksinya di Lapangan. Saat ini di Indonesia, setek kentang digunakan secara terbatas untuk produksi umbi G0 dan G1 pada kondisi terkontrol (rumah kaca atau rumah kasa). Rancangan Kelompok Lengkap Teracak (RKLT) faktorial digunakan pada penelitian ini dengan varietas (RGH01 dan Medians) dan sumber benih (umbi (G0) dan setek) sebagai faktor dan lima ulangan. Data dianalisis dengan sidik ragam yang kemudian dilanjutkan dengan uji Duncan. Tanaman kentang yang ditanam dengan sumber benih setek menghasilkan jumlah daun dan cabang yang lebih banyak pada kedua varietas. Namun, tidak berbeda nyata pada peubah tinggi tanaman. Jumlah umbi per tanaman menunjukkan hasil tidak berbeda nyata pada seluruh kombinasi perlakuan dengan 5.2 hingga 5.9 umbi per tanaman. Produktivitas umbi yang lebih besar dihasilkan oleh tanaman kentang dengan sumber benih umbi pada kedua varietas. Persentase umbi kelas S (<40 g) yang lebih besar diperoleh dari tanaman kentang dengan sumber benih setek sebesar 82.0% (Medians) dan 94.1% (RGH01).
 Kata kunci: perbanyakan benih, perbanyakan kentang, setek, Solanum tuberosum L., umbi

Yield, frying quality, plant vigor, and maturity of potato clones

ABSTRACT The objective of this research was to evaluate advanced potato clones for tuber yield, frying quality, plant vigor, and maturity, grown from minituber seeds, and to assess correlations between these traits. Eight advanced potato clones of Embrapa Potato Breeding Program (F11-09-03, F05-11-03, F54-11-06, F141-11-01, C2718-12-09, C2718-24-09, C2743-09-09, and CL308) and three commercial cultivars (Agata, Asterix and BRSIPR Bel) were evaluated. Experiments were carried out in autumn 2017, in Canoinhas-SC and Pelotas-RS. A randomized complete block design with four replicates was used. We used tuber seeds type IV (minibubers). We evaluated plant vigor, maturity, yield and number of marketable tubers, yield and number of total tubers, average tuber weight, specific gravity, and frying color. Individual and joint variance analyses revealed significant differences (p <0.05) among genotypes for all traits at both locations. The GxE (genotype x environment) interaction was significant for all traits. For the two locations together, clones F05-11-03, C2718-12-09, C2718-24-09 and the control cultivar BRSIPR Bel showed higher marketable tuber yields. The first two clones also showed tubers with high average tuber weight. Clone F54-11-06 showed the later maturity at both locations. Regarding the frying quality characteristics, only clone F141-11-01 showed a pattern comparable to that of the control cultivar Asterix. Also, clones with higher plant vigor had higher tuber yield, but late maturity. Frying quality traits were not correlated between them and among other traits.

Application of Gibberellin to Potato Seed Tubers Enhances the Yield of Small Tubers

Application of Gibberellin to Potato Seed Tubers Enhances the Yield of Small Tubers

Peran Umur Tanam dan Asal Benih pada Pertumbuhan dan Hasil Garut (Marantha Arundinacea)

<p>Arrowroot (Marantha arundinacea) is potential plant to be developed in Indonesia. Arrowroot usually grows wild without special treatment so that makes the productivity is low. The purpose of research was to find the suitable planting age and seeds origin of arrowroot. The research was conducted from October 2016 to November 2017 at Experimental Field of Agriculture Faculty of Universitas Sebelas Maret. The research used RCBD (Randomized Completed Block Design) with two factors.The treatment of planting age consist of 3 levels (1 month, 2 months, 3 months) and seeds origin consist of 2 levels (tuber seeds and seed of nursery), each is repeated 4 times with 3 plants each replication. The results showed that the planting age treatment at 1 month of planting age has the better result compared with other treatments in almost every variables observed i.e plant height, number of tillers, tuber lenght, diameter tuber, and tuber weight per plant. The number of leaves,fresh weight plant, dry weight plant, and number of tubers are not significantly different at 1 month of planting age, although the plant is higher. The highest lenght of tuber is 20,5 cm from 2 months of planting age. Tuber weight of planting age treatment reached 31,8–124,9 gram per plant. Seed of nursery showed better results than tuber seeds although not significanly different. Between planting age and origin of seeds was no interaction.</p>

Impact of Positive Selection on Incidence of Different Viruses During Multiple Generations of Potato Seed Tubers in Uganda

Smallholder farmers in Uganda commonly use seed potato tubers from the informal sector, especially by seed recycling over several generations. Therefore, seed tubers are highly degenerated with viruses and other pathogens, resulting in poor yield and quality of the produce. Over one cycle of multiplication, degeneration management by positive seed selection was found to be efficient in reducing virus diseases compared with the farmers’ method of selection. The objective of this study was to assess to what extent positive selection over several seasons can reduce six different virus incidences in seed lots of different starting quality in southwestern Uganda. Multi-seasonal trials were carried out in three locations, with five seed lots from four sources and three cultivars. Detection of viruses was based on DAS-ELISA and Luminex xMAP technology. Analysis was carried out with analysis of variance (ANOVA) on angular-transformed percentages of virus incidence. Results showed fluctuations in some viruses over seasons with lower Potato leafroll virus (PLRV) and Potato virus X (PVX) incidences in lots from positive selection compared with lots from farmers’ selection. In contrast, some seed lots were initially highly infected with Potato virus S (PVS) and Potato virus M (PVM) and showed no reduction in virus incidence through positive selection. In general, little infection with Potato virus Y (PVY) and Potato virus A (PVA) was found. Based on these results, it is recommended that smallholder farmers are trained in positive selection to opt for less virus-infected plants and tubers, thus increasing potato production.

Influence of Plant Density and Genotype on Potato Minituber Production from Microshoots and Microtubers

Seed tubers represent the major cost for potato production in Egypt. With the introduction of tissue culture technology, it becomes possible to obtain virus-free potato plantlets or microtubers in vitro for subsequent use in minituber production. These two stock materials were examined for potato minituber production inside a glasshouse at different planting densities (5, 10, 15 and 20) plantlets or microtubers per 20 cm pots filled with soilless medium during the period 2014-2016. Several potato genotypes were also screened for their minituber and seed tuber yield potentials. Results indicated that with the increase in planting density, minituber yield and number per pot and per m2 were increased, but mean minituber weight decreased, in the two-tested cultivars 'Diamant' and 'Universa'. Significant differences among 19 potato genotypes were detected on their minituber yield characteristics, including minituber number and yield per plant, and average minituber weight, using microtubers as starting plant materials. Among 19 tested genotypes, the newly introduced potato cultivars 'Universa', 'Safrane', and 'Triomphe' outper-formed the rest of cultivars in minituber production. Seed potato production in the field was successfully achieved from the culture of the obtained minitubers, and the cv. 'Safrane' recorded the highest seed tuber yield and mean tuber fresh weight, while the cvs. Agria and Nicola recorded the highest numbers of seed tubers per plant.