Abstract
The objective was to investigate the effects of moisture conditions in storage at 21 C (± 3) on true potato seed (TPS) germination and seedling vigor. The influence of supplemental nitrogen (N) during seed production on these effects was also studied. One set of TPS was stored exposed to ambient humid (> 80% RH) air; the other was stored dry (sealed with silica gel). Germination tests were performed at 7, 11, and 14 months of seed storage. Seedling vigor tests were made at 14, 20, and 23 months.
The rate of germination was mostly affected by the moisture conditions during storage. Seed stored dry germinated faster than TPS stored in humid ambient air. The rate of germination increased with time in storage and the percentage of germination was always high (≥ 95%) in dry seed produced with high N. Seedling vigor was mostly affected by N treatments during seed production. High-N seed had a much higher rate and percentage of emergence and seedling dry-weight levels than low-N seed, particularly when stored dry. Seedling vigor criteria decreased with time in storage in low-N seed; in high-N seed, the rate of emergence increased and the percentage of emergence was always high (≥ 95%). In conclusion, the TPS should be produced with high N and stored dry for sowing under unfavorable conditions.
Compendio
El objetivo de la investigación fue determinar los efectos de las condiciones de humedad en el almacenamiento a 21 C (± 4), sobre la germinación y el vigor de las plántulas provenientes de semilla sexual (TPS). Se estudió también la influencia, sobre estos efectos, del nitrógeno (N) suplementario, durante la producción de semilla. Una muestra de TPS fue almacenada exponiéndola a un ambiente húmedo (> 80% HR); otra muestra fue almacenada seca (sellada con gel de sílica). Se realizaron pruebas de germinación a los 7, 11 y 14 meses del almacenamiento de la semilla. Las pruebas de vigor fueron efectuadas a los 14, 20 y 23 meses.
La tasa de germinación fue afectada mayormente por las condiciones de humedad durante el almacenamiento. La semilla almacenada seca germinó más rápido que la TPS almacenada en ambiente de aire húmedo. La tasa de germinación se incrementó con el tiempo de almacenamiento y el porcentaje de germinación fue siempre alto (≥ 95%) en la semilla seca producida con aplicación alta de nitrógeno. El vigor de las plántulas fue aceptado principalmente por los tratamientos nitrogenados durante la producción de la semilla. La semilla en alto contenido ne nitrógeno tuvo una tasa y un porcentaje mucho delmayor de emergencia y niveles mayores de materia seca en las plántulas que la semilla obtenida en bajo contenido de nitrógeno, especialmente cuando se les almacenó secas. El vigor de las plántulas disminuyó con el tiempo de almacenamiento en las semillas en bajo nivel de nitrógeno; en las de alto nivel de nitrógeno, se incrementó la tasa de emergencia y el porcentaje de emergencia fue siempre alto (≥95%). En conclusión, la semilla sexual debe producirse en altas dosis ne nitrógeno y almacenarse seca cuando vaya a ser sembrada en condiciones desfavorables.
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Pallais, N., Espinola, N. Seed quality as affected by nitrogen during true potato seed production and moisture conditions during storage. American Potato Journal 69, 85–93 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02855337
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02855337