The use of paclobutrazol and shading net on growth and yield of potato ‘medians’ tuber of G2 in medium land of Indonesia

Abstract

Background and Objective: One problem in introducing potato cultivation in medium land of Indonesia is high temperature which causes low yield of the potato tuber. High temperature improves shoot growth but reduces the formation and development of tuber. To reduce high temperature and inhibit shoot growth, therefore new strategy must be conducted to resolve this problem such as by the application shading net and paclobutrazol during potato cultivation. The objective of this study was to evaluate the interaction effect between shading net and paclobutrazol on growth and yield of potato ‘medians’ tuber of G2 in medium land of Indonesia. Methodology: Randomized block design was used in this study with two factors, consisted of three levels of shading net density (0, 30 and 40%) and 4 levels of paclobutrazol concentration (0, 50, 100 and 150 mg LG1). All parameters were tested by two-ways of analysis of variance (ANOVA) using Fisher test followed by Duncan’s multiple range test at the 5% significance level. Results: The result showed that no significant interaction between shading net density and paclobutrazol concentration at all observed parameters. Shading net 30% increased plant height, leaf area index, tuber number, tuber weight and percentage of tuber for seed size that was significantly higher than without and 45% shading net. Moreover, paclobutrazol suppressed plant height and leaf area but it increased chlorophyll content, tuber number and tuber weight/plant and percentage of tuber for seed size. Conclusion: Paclobutrazol suppressed plant height and leaf area, however it increased leaves chlorophyll content, tuber number and tuber weight/plant. The highest tuber number and percentage of class tuber for seed size were obtained from plant with 50 mg LG1 of paclobutrazol application.