Effect of Tuber Size, Storage Time and Storage Environment on Dormancy and Sprouting Characteristics of Some Potato (Solanum Tuberosum L.) Cultivars

Abstract

A study was conducted to investigate the influence of tuber size, storage time and storage environment on storage losses and seed tuber quality of three selected potato cultivars under diffused light storage (DLS) structures in three locations in 2012/2013 in the Tigray region, North Ethiopia. The treatments consisted of two environments (locations), three potato cultivars (Gera, Gudene and Jalene) and four tuber size categories [very small (20-30mm), small (31-40mm), medium (41-50mm), and large (51-65mm)] arranged in Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications. Data pertaining to sprouting characteristics were recorded for 28 weeks at monthly interval. The larger tubers had better sprouting ability than the rest of the tuber sizes. Gudene and Jalene cultivars recorded more number of sprouts per tuber at F.weyni storage environment. In contrast Gera cultivar recorded few numbers of sprouts until week 28. So, de-sprouting treatment is recommended for Gera cultivar. Number of sprouts per tuber, length and thickness of sprouts increased with increasing storage time. At F.weyni storage environment, large tuber size categories of all three potato cultivars had more number of sprouts per tuber than in the other storage environments. Generally, storing medium (41-50mm) and large (51-65mm) tuber size categories of potato tubers is recommended for a sustainable quality seed supply; Potato tubers should be stored at warm storage environments when short term storage is desired; however they should be stored at cool environments for long term storage.

Keywords: dormancy, sprouting, potato, tuber size, cultivar, diffused light storage