Seed Piece Spacing for Early-Maturing Table-Stock Potato Grown under Subtropical Conditions

Potato seed piece spacing (SPS) is a determinant driver of tuber size profile and can be adjusted to maximize tuber yield. Three field trials were carried out in subtropical growing conditions to determine the response of SPS (e.g., 15, 20, 25, and 30 cm) on aboveground biomass, total tuber yield (TTY), tuber size distribution, and tuber quality of six table-stock potato cultivars. TTY and size distribution were affected by the length of the tuber bulking and weather conditions. Narrow SPS had an impact on TTY showing a linear decrease as SPS increased. Large tuber yield was higher when vine kill was conducted on 91 days after planting compared to 81 and 84. Cultivar showed variability in tuber size profiles. Red LaSoda and Satina yields were predominantly large tubers, Purple Majesty and Natascha had higher production of small tuber sizes. Adjusting SPS and cultivars can optimize tuber production and size distribution.