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Tetrazolium tests as indicators of tuber physiological age and yield potential

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Abstract

Seed tubers were treated by incubation of cut surfaces in solutions of 0.5%, 2,3,5-triphenyl tetrazolium chloride (TZ) for 30 or 90 min. Reaction rate, measured as change in surface reflectance (R/hr) and distance of transport in vascular tissue (mm/hr), were significantly correlated with tuber aging due to time (1, 2, 3 years) or temperature treatments and with sprout number per tuber. TZ results were significantly correlated with yield of U.S. no. 1 tubers in field tests. It was proposed that TZ be used in seed tuber testing and as a cytochemical probe in physiological studies.

Resumen

Se trataron tubérculos-semillas incubando superficies de corte en soluciones de 0.5/ de cloruro de tetrazolio 2,3,5-trifenil (TZ) durante 30 ó 90 minutos. La tasa de reacción, medida como cambio de la superficie en capacidad reflectante (reflectancia) (R/h), y la distancia de transporte en tejido vascular (mm/h), estaban significativamente correlacionadas con el envejecimiento del tubérculo debido al tiempo (1,2,3 años) o a tratamientos de temperatura. Los resultados del TZ estaban significativamente correlacionados con el número de brotes por tubérculo y con el rendimiento de tubérculos de primera calidad según la norma de los Estados Unidos. Se propone que se utilice la prueba de TZ como prueba citoquímica en estudios fisiológicos.

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Author notes

  1. R. F. Sacher (Grad. Res. Asst.)

    Present address: Boyce Thompson Inst. for Plant Research at Cornell, 14853, Ithaca, NY

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture, Washington State Univ., 99164, Pullman, WA

    R. F. Sacher (Grad. Res. Asst.)

  2. Boyce Thompson Inst. for Plant Research at Cornell, 14853, Ithaca, NY

    W. M. Iritani (Professor)

Authors
  1. R. F. Sacher
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  2. W. M. Iritani
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Additional information

Scientific paper no. 6358. Washington State Univ. College of Agriculture Research Center, Pullman, WA Project 6949.

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Sacher, R.F., Iritani, W.M. Tetrazolium tests as indicators of tuber physiological age and yield potential. American Potato Journal 59, 613–625 (1982). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02867601

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02867601

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