Dormancy and Physiological Age of Seed Tubers from a Diverse Set of Potato Cultivars Grown at Different Altitudes and in Different Seasons in Kenya

Abstract

The study was conducted to determine the dormancy and physiological age characteristics of diverse potato genotypes as influenced by growing altitudes and seasons for future breeding strategies and optimal patterns of use. Dormancy and sprouting characteristics have an impact on tuber production, storability and seed quality for planting and ware for consumption and the market. This study presents the results of dormancy and physiological age measurements conducted on 47 potato genotypes grown at three altitudes with three replications at each location and in two contrasting growing seasons. The seed tubers were evaluated at low altitude under darkness on moist sand storage conditions to assess their dormancy release, number of sprouts, sprout weight, sprout length and percentage tuber weight loss. Results showed significant (p < 0.001) differences among genotypes, locations and seasons, and significant interactions between these factors for days to dormancy release, number of sprouts per tuber at dormancy release and at 45 days after dormancy release, length of longest sprout, weight loss percentage of unsprouted and sprouted tubers at dormancy release and at 45 days after dormancy release, respectively. There was a wide variation in time to dormancy release (54 to 136 days); most genotypes showed medium to long dormancy. Seed tubers grown at low altitude showed longer dormancy than those grown at higher altitudes, while genotypic differences in dormancy were very consistent across environments. Genotypes strongly differed in sprouting characteristics and weight loss. There were highly significant interactions between altitude and season for all variables assessed, except for the number of sprouts 45 days after dormancy release and the weight loss after sprouting. Generally, the genotypic effects were larger than those of altitude, season and the interaction effects for all variables evaluated. This paper will allow variety selection to optimize seed quality at planting and minimize storage losses while providing new targets for breeders.

High-Temperature Effect on Plant Development and Tuber Induction and Filling in Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.)

“…The seed is a crucial factor in every agricultural production process, and for potatoes, the tuber plays a pivotal role in generating a new plant, earning it the label "seed tuber". The health and physiological condition of these tubers significantly influence crop yield [15]. Seed tubers can be planted intact or divided; to a lesser extent, cuttings and microtubers obtained through in vitro culture are also utilized (Figure 2).…”

Pathogenicity, Mycotoxin Production, and Control of Potato Dry Rot Caused by Fusarium spp.: A Review

“…Dry rot is not only a soil disease but also a tuber-borne disease. Therefore, the seed tuber is usually considered the main source of inoculum [ 75 ]. Planting a healthy seed tuber in the field is necessary; planting an infected seed tuber will result in soil infestation around the progeny of the tuber [ 76 ].…”

The Use of Chlorophyll Fluorescence as an Indicator of Predicting Potato Yield, Its Dry Matter and Starch in the Conditions of Using Microbiological Preparations

“…However, some light energy is lost in the process of chlorophyll fluorescence. In addition, some of this energy is emitted in the form of light with a longer wavelength, which is observed as fluorescence [16][17][18][19][20]. During photosynthesis, units of solar radiation (photons) penetrate the potato leaf, reach the chlorophyll, and stimulate enzymes in rubisco.…”

“…A comparison of the measurement results between different plant cultivars or different growing conditions can help identify factors affecting the dry matter and starch yields [19,20]. Correlations with yield data, and in particular, a comparison of the chlorophyll fluorescence data with the dry matter yield and starch content data, can establish a relationship between chlorophyll fluorescence and yield.…”