Consequences of pre-planting treatments of potato seed tubers on leaf area index formation

Abstract

In field trials conducted in 2000-2002, we examined the influence of pre-planting treatments of seed tubers on the formation of leaf area index. The potato varieties used were Agrie Dzeltenie (early), Piret (middle-maturing) and Ants (late). The following treatments were used: untreated control, thermal shock and pre-sprouting. Pre-sprouting treatments of all varieties and thermal shock treatment of the variety Agrie Dzeltenie had a significant effect on the leaf area index. The value and timing of maximum leaf area index were: variety specific, 4.0 units of the early variety Agrie Dzeltenie, 3.7 units of the middle-maturing variety Piret and 3.9 units of the late variety Ants. The weight of the haulms of the plants developed from physiologically older seed tubers formed faster and remained smaller. Pre-planting treatment of seed tubers provided quicker field emergence. The slower the potato plants developed the haulms, the greater the maximum weight achieved. Pre-planting treatments influence the leaf area index. The importance of this influence lies in potato varieties with different maturity times since increases in quality and yield depend on the size of the photosynthetic area. © 2008 Taylor & Francis.