EFFECT OF THE SITE OF SEED POTATO PRODUCTION ON SUBSEQUENT SPROUT GROWTH AND TUBER YIELD

In 1974 and 1975 certified Scottish seed tubers were multiplied at four sites of different altitude which had different mean soil temperatures. The progeny tubers were subsequently grown to produce a ware crop at Wellesbourne in 1975 and 1976. In 1975, the effects of the site of seed production on sprout growth and tuber yield of the ware crop were small though there was an indication of a negative relationship between total tuber yield and the temperature at each site. In 1976 the effect of the site of seed production was more marked. The total sprout length per tuber of both the varieties used was greatest from the hottest site and least from the coolest site. In the field the final yield of both varieties was lowest from the hottest site and greatest from the coolest site of seed production. There was no indication that the effect of the site of seed production on tuber yield occurred as a result of differences in stem density. © 1979, Cambridge University Press. All rights reserved.