The effect of the time and mode of application of gibberellic acid on the growth and yield of potato plants derived from true potato seed
2006
Alexopoulos, A.A. | Akoumianakis, K.A. | Passam, H.C.
The effect of the time and mode of treatment (single or repeated applications) of gibberellic acid (GA₃) on the growth and tuberisation of plants grown from true seed (TPS) of potato Chacasina F₁ was studied. Plant height, fresh and dry weight of stems and leaf dry weight increased in response to single or repeated GA₃ applications. Leaf colour was not affected by single applications of GA₃, whereas repeated applications caused a reduction in colour intensity. The numbers of secondary shoots and leaves per plant as well as total leaf area were largely unaffected by GA₃, although repeated applications from early in the growth cycle increased these parameters under conditions of decreasing photoperiod. When applied as a single dose during spring, GA₃ caused an increase in the number of tubers per plant, with a concomitant decrease in tuber dry matter content, irrespective of application date. In autumn the number of tubers per plant increased following single applications of GA₃ up to 50 days after transplantation, whereas tuber dry matter decreased. By contrast, repeated applications of GA₃ in both seasons increased tuber number only when initiated early in the growth cycle. The mean weight of tubers per plant was variably affected by GA₃ application, depending on the season, time and mode of application. It is suggested that the foliar application of GA₃ to plants from TPS at an early stage of vegetative development may be of value for seed tuber or micro-tuber production, primarily by increasing the number of tubers produced per plant.
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