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Seed tuber production and management

  • Chapter
The Potato Crop

Part of the book series: World Crop Series ((WOCS))

Abstract

The usual means of propagation for potato crops throughout the world is the vegetative seed tuber which may be planted whole, as in most of Europe, or after cutting into pieces, as in North America and parts of Spain. Seed tubers are variable in size ranging from 25 to 60 mm (10–150 g) when planted whole and up to 100 mm or more (300–400 g) when cut. They are predominantly water (around 80%) and do not keep even at low temperatures from one crop year to another, although in favourable climates two crops can be produced within one year from one seed lot. Seed tubers can be infected with numerous virus diseases and carry many fungal diseases which may affect ware crop growth and the health of the progeny tubers. For effective potato production the availability of an annual supply of healthy tubers is an essential requirement. In this chapter methods of seed production and storage and statutory regulation relating principally to the UK industry are discussed. References are also made to other seed production problems in contrasting environments. A brief consideration is also given to the use of true potato seed (TPS) both for primary propagation and as a means of producing relatively disease-free seed tubers in some environments as the majority of virus and fungal diseases are not transmitted through true seed.

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Authors
  1. E. J. Allen
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  2. P. J. O’Brien
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  3. D. Firman
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Agriculture, University of Reading, Earley Gate, PO Box 263, RG6 2AT, Reading, UK

    Paul M. Harris

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Allen, E.J., O’Brien, P.J., Firman, D. (1992). Seed tuber production and management. In: Harris, P.M. (eds) The Potato Crop. World Crop Series. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-2340-2_6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-2340-2_6

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht

  • Print ISBN: 978-94-010-5034-0

  • Online ISBN: 978-94-011-2340-2

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