Summary
Field performance of five fresh weight classes of minitubers ranging from 0.13–0.25 g to 2.00–3.99 g and conventional seed tubers was studied in a short growing season (79 or 82 days) in two years. The heavier minitubers gave a more regular emergence, faster ground cover soon after emergence, higher dry-matter yields, and higher fresh tuber yields. Radiation conversion coefficient (RCC) did not differ. Higher tuber yields resulted from more radiation intercepted due to a faster ground cover, and a higher harvest index. All minitubers produced plants with one primary stem. In one experiment when heavier minitubers had long sprouts, time to 50% emergence decreased with tuber weight, whereas dry-matter concentration of progeny tubers increased. Conventional tubers appeared superior to minitubers in all characteristics mentioned except RCC, which was similar. Differences in performance between minitubers and conventional tubers were attributed to weight and age of seed tubers, presprouting method and crop husbandry.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Firman, D.M., P.J. O'Brien & E.J. Allen, 1992. Predicting the emergence of potato sprouts.Journal of Agricultural Science, Cambridge 118: 55–61.
Haverkort, A.J., M. van de Waart & J. Marinus, 1991. Field performance of potato microtubers as propagation material.Potato Research 34: 353–364.
Headford, D.W.R., 1962. Sprout development and subsequent plant growth.European Potato Journal 5: 14–22.
Krijthe, N., 1962. Observations on the sprouting of seed potatoes.European Potato Journal 5: 316–333.
Leclerc, Y. & D.J. Donnelly, 1990. Seasonal differences in the field performance of micropropagated potato under a short growing season in Quebec.American Potato Journal 67: 507–516.
Lommen, W.J.M., 1994. Effect of weight of potato minitubers on sprout growth, emergence and plant characteristics at emergence.Potato Research 37: 315–322.
Lommen, W.J.M. & P.C. Struik, 1992. Production of potato minitubers by repeated harvesting: Effects of crop husbandry on yield parameters.Potato Research 35: 419–432.
Lommen, W.J.M. & P.C. Struik, 1993. Performance of potato minitubers in a controlled environment after different storage periods.Potato Research 36: 283–292.
Marshall, B. & H. Taylor, 1990. Radiation interception and growth of minitubers as affected by seed size.Abstracts 11th Triennial Conference of the European Association for Potato Research, Edinburgh, UK, pp. 380–381.
Ogilvy, S.E., D.K.L. MacKerron, J.S. Forrest & J.M. McNicol, 1990. The effect of tuber size, physiological age and planting density on the performance of mini-tubers for seed or ware production.Abstracts 11th Triennial Conference of the European Association for Potato Research, Edinburgh, UK, pp. 378–379.
Sadler, E.M., 1961. Factors influencing the development of sprouts on the potato. PhD thesis, University of Nottingham, U.K., 109 p.
Struik, P.C. & W.J.M. Lommen, 1990. Production, storage and use of micro-and minitubers.Proceedings of the 11th Triennial Conference of the European Association for Potato Research, Edinburgh, UK, pp. 122–133.
Wattimena, G., B. McCown & G. Weis, 1983. Comparative field performance of potatoes from microculture.American Potato Journal 60: 27–33.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Lommen, W.J.M., Struik, P.C. Field performance of potato minitubers with different fresh weights and conventional seed tubers: Crop establishment and yield formation. Potato Res 37, 301–313 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02360523
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02360523