Top Yield Research Articles

Effects of lime and gypsum on growth of sweet potato in two strongly acid soils

There were strong relationships between exchangeable aluminium (Al) and relative top yield, and between soil pH and relative top yield in the Garret and Bisinella soils. Sweet potato plants produced maximum top yields at soil exchangeable Al <3.0 cmol ((+)/kg, with a 10% yield reduction coinciding with a value of approximately 5.0 cmol (+)/kg. The value was lower for the Bisinella soil than the Garret soil. In the case of pH, maximum yield in both soils was evident at a soil pH of 5.0 with 90% of maximum yield being achieved at about pH 4.7. These results suggest that soil pH would be a good index for Al toxicity. The close relationships between sweet potato growth and both exchangeable Al and soil pH need to be explored further to determine whether it will hold across a wide range of acid soil groups.

Urban wastewater use in plant biomass production

Jerusalem artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus L.) is comparatively new and is not being widely grown as a crop in Australia. There is very little known of the crop’s adaptability to grow and produce under diverse climatic and growing conditions. At present in Australia, as elsewhere, there has been considerable interest in land disposal of wastewater/effluent instead of the traditional ways of discharging into waterways of rivers and ocean streams. Crops, pastures and trees are being experimented on with irrigation using wastewater/effluent. This research project explored the potential for growing artichoke hybrids under wastewater irrigation with the temperate climatic conditions at Werribee, south western region of Victoria, Australia. Several artichoke cultivars were grown on a 1.5-ha site at the Melbourne Water-Treatment Complex farm at Werribee, during summer. Measurements of yield and carbohydrate content of tops and tubers were made on composite plant samples taken at frequent intervals during the growing season. The study found that artichoke can be grown successfully in cooler climatic regions like Werribee. The plant suffered little or no ill effects due to wastewater irrigation. The biomass yields (tops and tubers) recorded in this experiment are equal to and in many cases higher than those obtained for crops grown elsewhere under more favourable conditions. The study identifies the desirability of land disposal of wastewater by irrigating crops. Substantial savings/profits can be made in wastewater management by growing crops like artichoke which has the potential for commercial production of value added products.

Malting enzyme activities, grain protein variation and yield potentials in the displaced genetic resources of barley landraces of Finland

Thirty-two unimproved landraces of barley ( Hordeum vulgare L.) based on single plant selections in SE Finland were studied. Some of the lines still had ancient features, e.g., rachis brittleness in the tip of the spike. The lines showed 17 different and 16 unique hordein patterns and three lines showed more than one pattern, suggesting heterozygosity, and six different residual grain protein patterns. The three enzyme activities (α-amylase, β-amylase and β-glucanase) of grains germinated aseptically for 120 h were determined. The average activity levels were high compared with a standard of five global barleys and with those determined previously in wild barley (H. vulgare ssp. spontaneum (Koch) Archers et Graebn.) grown in Finland. The ssp. spontaneum sample of 257 accessions showed significantly (P<0.001) less variation in β-amylase and significantly (P<0.001) lower mean activity of all three enzymes. The high variation of these chemotypes indicates great potential variation of possible use by breeders has been lost by the disappearance and displacement of local barleys with commercial cultivars since 1950 in Finland before which barley cultivation and adaptation to the local environment had occurred over more than 3000 years. Selection for currently preferable plant characteristics in the descendants of the cross of HA52 (a landrace selection) × Adorra discriminated the hordein pattern of HA52 not being directly selected. The best landraces outyield the standard cultivars especially when there was no lodging. Top yield and small grains appeared to be associated characteristics under the environmental selection pressure, conflicting with the man-made regulations of the EU.

Influence of body condition score on carcass characteristics and subprimal yield from cull beef cows.

Mature beef cows (n = 83) were slaughtered to measure the influence of body condition score (BCS) on carcass characteristics and subprimal yields. All cows were weighed and assigned BCS, based on a 9-point scale, 24 h before slaughter. Cows were slaughtered, and, after a 48-h chilling period, quality and yield grade data were collected on the left side of each carcass. The right side was quartered, fabricated into primal cuts, and weighed. Each primal cut was further processed into boneless subprimal cuts, minor cuts, lean trim, fat, and bone. Cuts were progressively trimmed to 6.4 and 0 mm of external and visible seam fat. Weights were recorded at all stages of fabrication, and subprimal yields were calculated as a percentage of the chilled carcass weight. Live weight, carcass weight, dressing percentage, fat thickness, longissimus muscle area, muscle:bone ratio, and numerical yield grade increased linearly (P = .0001) and predicted cutability and actual muscle-to-fat ratio decreased linearly (P = .0001) as BCS increased from 2 to 8. Carcasses from BCS-8 cows had the most (P<.05) marbling. The percentage of carcasses grading U.S. Utility, or higher, was 16.7, 20.0, 63.6, 43.3, 73.3, 100.0, and 100.0% for cows assigned a BCS of 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8, respectively. At 6.4 mm of fat trim, carcasses from BCS-5 cows had higher (P<.05) shoulder clod yields than carcasses from cows having a BCS of 6, 7, and 8. Carcasses of BCS-2 cows had lower (P<.05) strip loin yields than carcasses from BCS-3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 cows. Top sirloin butt yields were higher (P<.05) for carcasses of BCS-2, 3, 4, and 5 cows than those of BCS-6, 7, or 8 cows. Carcasses from BCS-7 and 8 cows had lower (P<.05) tenderloin and inside round yields than carcasses of BCS-5, or less, cows. At both fat-trim levels, carcasses from BCS-5 cows had higher (P<.05) eye of round yields than cows assigned BCS of 2, 7, or 8. When subprimal cuts were trimmed to 6.4 mm of visible fat, carcasses from BCS-5 cows had higher (P<.05) total lean product yields than cows assigned a BCS of 2, 4, 7, and 8. Regardless of fat trim, total fat yields increased (P = .0001) and total bone yields decreased (P = .0001) linearly as BCS increased from 2 to 8. Although carcasses from BCS-5 and 6 cows had the highest yields of lean product, cattle producers and packers may benefit most by marketing and(or) purchasing BCS-6 cows because a higher percentage of their carcasses had quality characteristics deemed desirable for fabrication into boneless subprimal cuts.

Dehydrogenation of Ethylbenzene to Styrene in an Inorganic Membrane Reactor

ABSTRACT A new kind of inorganic membrane featuring H2 permeability of 10â6mol/(m2a) magnitude and H2/EB selectivity over 75 is applied in a membrane reactor for dehydrogenation of ethylbenzene (EB) to styrene. At a temperature range of 560–600âC, an EB liquid hour space velocity (LHSV) of 0.5–1.0/hour and a water/EB molar ratio of 9.86–16.42, the membrane reactor improves styrene yield to a maximum of 21.5% and a top per-pass stryrene yield of 75%, which is 10% above that obtained in a fixed bed.

Interseeding Forage Brassicas into Sweet Corn: Forage Productivity and Effect on Sweet Corn Yield

ABSTRACT Relay intercropping can increase nutrient cycling, cropping system diversity, and profitability, all factors that can contribute to agricultural sustainability. A frost-tolerant crop interseeded into sweet corn is an example of an opportunity for relay intercropping. Four forage brassicas (‘Premier’ kale, ‘Sparta’ rape, ‘Rondo’ turnip and ‘Forage Star’ turnip) were interseeded into ‘NK 199’ sweet corn at last cultivation (‘early’ interseeding) and at about blister stage of the corn (‘late’ interseeding) in 1993 and 1994. Our objectives were to determine the effect of interseeding on sweet com yield, and November dry-matter yields of brassicas. Corn ears and stover were harvested 2–3 Sept. 1993 and 12 Aug. 1994. Corn yields were not significantly affected by interseeding. Rondo turnip yielded more top (herbage) dry-matter than either kale or Forage Star turnip averaged across years and planting times. Total forage yield of the turnips (tops + roots) was similar to or higher than top yield of kale or rape.

Response of common bean, upland rice, corn, wheat, and soybean to soil fertility of an Oxisol

Plant nutrient deficiencies are the main yield‐limiting factors in highly weathered acid soils around the world. Five greenhouse experiments were conducted on an Oxisol to identify nutrient deficiencies in common bean, upland rice, corn, wheat, and soybean. The treatments consisted of 13 fertility levels including an adequate level and remaining without application of one of the essential plant macro‐ or micronutrients. Dry matter yield of tops of all the crop species was affected by fertility treatments; however, significant effects of treatments were obtained in the case of common bean, upland rice, and corn. Based on tops dry weight under different treatments compared to adequate fertility level (AFL), the most yield‐limiting nutrients were in the order of phosphorus (P) > calcium (Ca) > magnesium (Mg) > boron (B) > zinc (Zn) for common bean, P > molybdenum (Mo) for upland rice, and P for corn. For the wheat crop, there was substantial decrease in tops dry weight in the absence of Ca, P, and potassium (K) nutrients. In the case of soybean, substantial tops dry weight reduction was due to deficiency in the order of P >Ca>Zn.

Effect of varying solution calcium or magnesium concentrations in the presence or absence of aluminum on yield and plant calcium or magnesium concentrations in wheat

Abstract The effect of varying solution calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) concentrations in the absence or presence of 10 μM aluminum (Al) was investigated in several experiments using a low ionic strength (2.7 × 10‐3 M) solution culture technique. Aluminium‐tolerant and Al‐sensitive lines of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) were grown. In the absence of Al, top yields decreased when solution Ca concentrations were <50 μM or plant Ca concentrations were <2.0 mg/g. Top and root yields decreased when solution Mg concentrations were <50 μM or plant Mg concentrations were <1.5 mg/g. There were no differences between the lines in solution or plant concentrations at which yield declined. Increasing solution Ca concentrations decreased plant Mg concentrations in the tops (competitive ion effect) but increased plant Mg concentrations in the roots of wheat. This suggests that Ca is competing with Mg when Mg is transported from the roots. Increasing solution Mg concentrations decreased plant Ca concentrations in the tops and the roots (competitive ion effect). In the roots, increasing solution Mg concentrations decreased plant Ca concentrations at a lower solution Ca concentration in the Al‐sensitive line than the Al‐tolerant line. In the presence of Al, increasing solution Ca and Mg concentrations increased yield (Ca and Mg ameliorating Al toxicity). Yield increased until the sum of the solution concentrations of the divalent cations (Ca+Mg) was 2,000 μM for the Al‐tolerant line or 4,000 μM for the Al‐sensitive line. The exception was that yield decreased when solution Mg concentrations were > 1,500 μM and the solution Ca concentration was 100 μM (Mg exacerbating Al toxicity). The ameliorative effects of solution Ca or Mg on Al tolerance were not related to plant Ca or Mg concentrations per se.

Planting and Harvest Date Effects on Productivity and Root/Shoot Quotient of Four Brassica Cultivars

AbstractSummer‐planted turnip (Brassica rapa L.) is a highly productive crop, and may allow farmers to extend the grazing season and lower animal production costs. A field study was conducted to determine the influence of planting date and harvest date on morphological development and productivity of leafy plants like turnip in late fall. Turnip and a spinach ✕ mustard hybrid were seeded in rows on Hagerstown silt loam soil (fine, mixed, mesic Typic Hapludalfs), using a factorial treatment structure (6 planting dates ✕ 4 cultivars) in a split‐plot design, with planting date as whole plot, cultivar as subplot, and four replicates. Three to six harvest dates were used, depending on planting date, resulting in an overall incomplete factorial treatment structure. Mean yield of all cultivars with optimal planting date‐harvest date combinations was 11.5 Mg ha−1 without severe foliar disease and 9.7 Mg ha−1 with alternaria leaf spot (caused by Alternaria spp.). The interaction of planting date and harvest date on morphological development depended on resource allocation characteristics of the cultivar for top and root production. Delay of planting from late July to late August decreased top and root production more in 1990 than 1989. An optimum harvest date for maximizing fall top yield occurred each year regardless of planting date. Root yields increased in November and early December, whereas top yields did not. In general, total yields were high for crops planted in late July and harvested in late October or early November. Top/root quotient (top yield divided by root yield) was increased by delaying summer planting, and decreased by delaying fall harvest. Savanna had the highest, and Purple Top had the lowest top/root quotient. Turnip offers very high production potential for late‐fall grazing, with a wide range of top/root yields.

Critical potassium deficiency levels for a grass/ legume pasture grown on soils of the subhumid zone of Nigeria

Abstract A greenhouse experiment was conducted to determine the critical deficiency levels of potassium (K) in the subhumid zone soils for predicting response of a mixture of Andropogon gayanus and Stylosanthes hamata cv. Verano to K application. Twenty coarse textured soils, having loamy sand to sandy loam textures and with exchangeable K contents ranging from 0.08 to 0.97 cmol/kg, were used. Two rates of K applied were 0 and 80 mg K/kg. Application of K on soils testing less than 0.18 cmol/kg significantly increased the dry matter yields of both Andropogon and stylo tops. Soil K was significantly related to relative yields of Sole Andropogon (r = 0.60**), sole stylo (r = 0.78***), and Andropogon/stylo mixture (r = 0.77***). There was a high correlation between the K concentration in plant tissue and the relative yields of sole Andropogon (r = 0.68**), sole stylo (r = 0.67**), Andropogon in mixture (r = 0.65**), and stylo in mixture (r = 0.64**). The graphical model of Gate and Nelson indicated the critical levels of the available form of K in soil to be 0.18, 0.20, and 0.21 cmol/kg for sole Andropogon, sole stylo and Andropogon/stylo mixture, respectively. The critical levels for K in plant tissues were also determined to be 1.30, 2.03, 1.38 and 1.86% for sole Andropogon, sole stylo Andropogon in mixture, and stylo in mixture, respectively.

Water Requirement of Subsurface Drip-irrigated Corn in Northwest Kansas

Irrigation development during the last 50 years has led to overdraft in many areas of the large Ogallala aquifer in the central United States. Faced with the decline in irrigated acres, irrigators and water resource personnel are examining many new techniques to conserve this valuable resource. A three-year study (1989 to 1991) was conducted on a Keith silt loam soil (Aridic Argiustoll) in northwest Kansas to determine the water requirement of corn (Zea mays L.) grown using a subsurface drip irrigation (SDI) system. A dryland control and five irrigation treatments, designed to meet from 25 to 125% of calculated evapotranspiration (ET) needs of the crop were examined. Although cumulative evapotranspiration and precipitation were near normal for the three growing seasons, irrigation requirements were higher than normal due to the timing of precipitation and high evapotranspiration periods. Analysis of the seasonal progression of soil water revealed the well-watered treatments (75 to 125% of ET treatments) maintained stable soil water levels above approximately 55 to 60% of field capacity for the 2.4-m soil profile, while the deficit-irrigated treatments (no irrigation to 50% of ET treatments) mined the soil water. Corn yields were highly linearly related to calculated crop water use, producing 0.048 Mg/ha of grain for each millimeter of water used above a threshold of 328 mm. Analysis of the calculated water balance components indicated that careful management of SDI systems can reduce net irrigation needs by nearly 25%, while still maintaining top yields of 12.5 Mg/ha. Most of these water savings can be attributable to minimizing nonbeneficial water balance components such as soil evaporation and long-term drainage. The SDI system is one technology that can make significant improvements in water use efficiency by better managing the water balance components.

Effect of mound height and cassava cultivar on cassava performance under a fluctuating water table

Field experiments were conducted at Ibadan and Bida in Nigeria, west Africa, to investigate the effect of mound height and cassava cultivar on cassava performance (tuber yield, top yield, tuber length, and plant height). In the Ibadan site, where the soil surface become waterlogged before cassava harvesting, cassava tuber yield, top yield, and tuber length among mounds were statistically different. But, between cultivars only tuber yield and tuber length were significantly different. In the Bida site, where the water table was deep only top yields among mounds were significantly different while between cultivars tuber and top yield were significantly different. The results of this study indicate that the 30 cm high mound, at both sites, gave the least performance in tuber yield, top yield, tuber length and plant height. However, in both sites, cassava performance among the 60, 90 and 120 cm high mounds were not significantly different. Also, in Ibadan site, all the 30 cm and some 60 cm high mounds showed symptoms of chlorosis and stunted vegetative growth as well as tuber rot. No such symptoms were observed at the Bida site.

The Effect of Stagonospora Foliicola on Phalaris Aquatica Under Glasshouse Conditions.

The phalaris cultivars Australian and Sirosa, artificially inoculated under glasshouse conditions, were found to be susceptible to infection by Stagonospora foliicola Diseased plants had significantly higher numbers of dead leaves than healthy plants. However, dry matter yields of tops and roots, and average leaf and tiller numbers of diseased and healthy plants were not significantly different.

Planting Date and Seeding Rate Effects on Morphological Development and Yield of Turnip

Productivity of Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.) pastures in midwestern and northeastern USA typically is low in late fall. A study was conducted to determine the influence of planting date and seeding rate on morphological development of turnip (Brassica rapa L.), and its potential to provide forage in late fall. Turnip was seeded in rows on Hagerstown silt loam (fine mixed, mesic Typic Hapludalt) soil, utilizing a split‐split block design with replicates nested within each whole block (planting date). Cultivar and seeding rate combinations were randomized within each replicate, and sampling date was the split‐split block. Total yield of turnip sometimes exceeded 10.0 t ha−1. With June or July plantings, turnip had 500 to 800 g kg−1 in its tops 60 d after planting, whereas with August plantings it had 700 to 900 g kg−1 in its tops. In December, the proportion in tops ranged from 250 g kg−1 for ‘Purple Top’ to 650 g kg−1 for ‘Tyfon’ planted in June or July; and from 500 g kg−1 for Purple Top to 850 g kg−1 for Tyfon planted in August. The proportion of total yield that remained until mid‐December varied with planting date, cultivar, and foliar disease severity. Yield of tops or roots of five turnip cultivars differed in 36 of 38 planting date/sampling date combinations. Seeding rates within the range 1.7 to 5.0 kg ha−1 generally did not affect root yields. Mean crude protein concentration ranged from 270 g kg−1 in ‘Forage Star’ to 250 g kg−1 in ‘Rondo’. Crude protein yield of Forage Star remained unchanged throughout the 120 d period whereas crude protein yields of ‘NZ Green Globe’, Rondo, and Purple Top decreased linearly and that of Tyfon showed a quadratic response (an initial gain followed by a sharp decline). Differences in turnip yields in late autumn were attributed to planting date, amount and time of summer precipitation, plant resistance to foliar diseases, cold tolerance, and leaf retention. Delaying summer planting date affected top/root proportions of Purple Top most, and those of Forage Star and Tyfon least.

Phosphorus and zinc fertilization effects on dry matter yield and phosphorus and zinc uptake by Crambe

Abstract Crambe (Crambe abyssinica Hochist.) is an oilseed crop high in euricic acid with industrial applications in production of nylon, plasticizers, and lubricants. Little information is available on crambe response to phosphorus (P) and zinc (Zn) fertilization. This glasshouse study was conducted to evaluate the response of crambe to four rates of P and five rates of Zn fertilizer application to a soil with 10 mg/kg NaHCO3‐extractable P and 0.6 mg/kg DTPA‐extractable Zn. Phosphorus fertilizer, but not Zn fertilizer, increased the dry matter yield of plant tops. Phosphorus response was consistent in both 35‐ and 62‐day‐old plants. Zinc response was most consistent in 35 day‐old plants. Significant interactions were observed between P and Zn for dry matter weight, P:Zn ratio, and Zn uptake at 35 days. No significant interactions were observed at 62 days. Analysis of the data showed a negative correlation coefficient between P or Zn treatment and tissue concentration or uptake for the opposite element.

The impact of the future scenarios for methane and other chemically active gases on the GWP of methane

Usually for the calculation of GWP (greenhouse warming potential) a pulse in emission of CO 2 and the gas considered is overlayed on constant background concentration levels of CH 4, CO and NO x . The pulse is expressed as a decaying perturbation in concentration with constant e-folding time. Because the decay of a concentration perturbation in CH 4 is dependent on OH concentrations which are in turn dependent on CH 4 and other gases, the concept of a constant e-folding time is not suitable to estimate GWPs into the future properly. It is shown by applying our time-dependent, interactive chemical radiative convective model for two hemispheres with oceans, that, especially because of the CH 4-OH feedback, the GWP can be very sensitive to the assumptions on future emissions. In this model also the indirect radiative forcing by altitude dependent production of tropospheric ozone (and, in the limitations of 1D-models, stratospheric water vapor) is treated self-consistently. Several scenarios are studied. For example, using the IPCC-B-scenario for CH 4, CO and NO x emissions as background with a methane emission pulse in 1989 on top yields for methane a GWP of 22 for an integration time of 20 years, while assuming a constant background and a constant lifetime for the CH 4 perturbation yields only 19. A share of about 4 in both cases can be attributed to the production of tropospheric ozone. For an integration time of 50 years the relative difference in GWP between the two scenarios exceeds 30%.

Effect of aluminum and ph on relative yield and plant chemical concentrations of 7 dicotyledonous species grown in solution culture at low ionic strength

Abstract The effects of aluminum (Al) on yield and plant chemical concentrations were determined for 7 species (18 cultivars) of dicotyledons using a low ionic strength solution culture technique. The relationship between relative yield and solution Al activity was determined using polynomial exponential splines, and the Al activity (μM) at which yields were reduced by 50% (A1ry50 were determined. Based on the yields of the plant tops, Arabadopis thaliana, Lycopersicon esculentum (tomato) and Nicotiana plumaginifolia were all sensitive to Al (Alry50 <1). Petunia cultivars (Alry50 mean 3.1, range 2.4–4) and beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) (Alry50 mean 6.3, range 4.4–9.4) were intermediate in their tolerance to Al. Lima beans (Phaseolus lunatus) were the most tolerant of the species tested (Alry50 15.6). Pepper (Capsicum annum var annum) was unusual in that it was the only species sensitiveto solution pH. For this species, top and root yields increased with increasing Al rates. In the plant tops, increasing Al i...

Effect of aluminum on relative yield and plant chemical concentrations of cereals grown in solution culture at low ionic strength

Abstract The effects of aluminum (Al) on yield and plant chemical concentrations were determined for 5 cereal species (18 cultivars) using a low ionic strength solution culture technique. The relationship between relative yield and solution Al activity was determined using polynomial exponential splines, and the Al activity (uM) at which yields were reduced by 50% (A1ry50) determined. Based on the yields of plant tops, the wheat (Triticum aestivum) cultivars Warigal, Sonora‐63 and Scout were sensitive to Al (A1ry50 < 0.5), and Cardinal, Waalt, BH1146, Atlas‐66 and Carazinho were tolerant (A1ry50 1.4–3.3). Avena bywntina cv Acacia (AlRY50 0.9) was more sensitive and A. stigosa cv Saia ((A1ry50 2.5) more tolerant to Al than the common oats (A sativa) ((A1ry50 mean 1.8, range 1.4–2.4). Both barley (Hordeum vulgare) cultivars, Kearney and Dayton, were sensitive to Al ((A1ry50 0.3 and 0.8 respectively). The most consistent effect of increasing solution Al on the plant nutrient concentrations in the cereals was to decrease Mg and Ca concentrations in the tops by an average of 37% and 11% respectively, and decrease Mg concentrations in the roots by an average of 47%.

Peanut Breeding for Drought Resistance1

Abstract Because drought continues to be a major limiting environmental factor in peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) production, a breeding strategy for developing drought resistance was initiated in the early 1980's at the University of Georgia, Coastal Plain Experiment Station. Crosses were made between advanced breeding lines and drought resistant germplasm. Rainout shelters were used between 60 and 120 days after planting to provide mid-season drought stress so that pedigree selection could be made within early-segregating generations. Eight pure-line selections from the GA T-2465 × Tifton-8 cross combination were first evaluation in irrigated yield trials. The Georgia selection, GA 901412 now GA T-2842, had the highest pod yield in two irrigated test during 1989 and 1990, and was found to have a 25% yield advantage over Florunner under severe drought stress during 1990. In 1991, this same drought resistant selection again had the top yield over 16 other Virginia/runner type cultivars in each dryland test at two Georgia locations. Thus, progress has been made in developing adapted drought resistant Georgia breeding lines, and such a breeding approach merits consideration for developing future drought resistant candivars.

VARIATION FOR YIELD AND QUALITY IN COLEUS MUTANTS

Chinese potato (Coleus parviflorus Benth) mutants numbering twelve obtained from a mutation breeding program and its control were evaluated for the extent of variation in yield and quality attributes. In general there was significant variation among the mutants as well as between mutants and control. Canopy spread and top yield (biomas) was less in mutants as compared to the control resulting in an improved harvest index. In mutants with less number of tubers the yield per plant achieved was greater than in control due to uniformity of tubers. Besides, in some of the mutants the tuber production was restricted at the base only which made the harvest easy. There was variation in the quality traits both towards positive and negative directions. Based on the overall performance few mutants showed superior performance in terms of yield and quality than the control.