A field study of early potato with different physiological age
2005
Eremeev, V., Estonian Agricultural Univ., Tartu (Estonia) | Lohmus, A., Estonian Agricultural Univ., Tartu (Estonia) | Joudu, J., Estonian Agricultural Univ., Tartu (Estonia)
Early potatoes proved to be profitable crops in Estonia. Varieties from the Estonian variety list are suitable for growing in Estonia's agro-climatic conditions despite the relatively short vegetation season. Preplanting seed tuber treatment has allowed to make early potatoes more profitable. The vegetation period is relatively common for potato growth and development in most years but one of the yield limiting factors can be potato late blight caused by Phytopthora infestans (Mont.) de Bary. In most years the potato growing season can be divided into two periods: 1) there is no risk of late blight infection, 2) there is risk of late blight infection. When the growing season does not reach the second period, it is possible to harvest a profitable yield without spraying fungicides. This avoids the use of toxic chemicals and decreases environmental pollution. Early varieties can provide a good yield, whereas quicker yield formation is characteristic of physiologically older plants. Pre-sprouting and thermal treatment of seed tubers increase the physiological age of potato plants. The production of an early crop requires rapid plant emergence and foliage development, and tuber initiation at a low leaf area index (LAI). Physiologically older earlies are capable of developing sufficient leaf area for rapid assimilation. They also start accumulating nutrients into forming tubers.
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