Population density studies with Russet Burbank I. Yield/stem density models

Evaluation of the Effect of Density on Potato Yield and Tuber Size Distribution

“…Anumber of experiments have examined potato ( Solanum tuberosum ) yield response to planting population or in‐row spacing to optimize plant population (Allen and Wurr, 1992; Arsenault et al, 2001; Creamer et al, 1999; DeBuchananne and Lawson, 1991; Love and Thompson‐Johns, 1999; Lynch and Rowberry, 1977; Lynch et al, 2001; O'Brien and Allen, 1992; Rex, 1991; Sekhon and Singh, 1985; Strange and Blackmore, 1990; Wurr et al, 1990, 1992, 1993; Zebarth et al, 2006). Many of these experiments and others have also examined the effect of planting population on tuber size distribution (Allen and Wurr, 1992; DeBuchananne and Lawson, 1991; Love and Thompson‐Johns, 1999; Rex, 1991; Sekhon and Singh, 1985; Strange and Blackmore, 1990; Wurr et al, 1992, 1993; Zebarth et al, 2006).…”

“…Yet this model has had little application in the prediction of crop yields. Potato yield was related to crop density with modified forms of the inverse yield law, but the hyperbolic function has not been used to predict potato yield response to crop density (Lynch and Rowberry, 1977).…”

“…Similar to crop yield, quadratic and square root models were used to relate average tuber size and crop density in potato (Knowles and Knowles, 2006; Wurr et al, 1992, 1993). The inverse yield law predicted response of average yield or biomass per plant to increasing crop density (Harper, 1965; Holliday, 1960; Lynch and Rowberry, 1977; Spitters, 1983a; Weiner, 1982). Changes in average tuber size in response to increasing density had a similar pattern to average plant yield or biomass (Allen and Wurr, 1992, Knowles and Knowles, 2006; Lynch and Rowberry, 1977).…”

“…The inverse yield law predicted response of average yield or biomass per plant to increasing crop density (Harper, 1965; Holliday, 1960; Lynch and Rowberry, 1977; Spitters, 1983a; Weiner, 1982). Changes in average tuber size in response to increasing density had a similar pattern to average plant yield or biomass (Allen and Wurr, 1992, Knowles and Knowles, 2006; Lynch and Rowberry, 1977). The inverse yield law may predict average tuber size, with the added benefit that estimated parameters have biological significance, such as maximum average tuber size (Holliday, 1960; Weiner, 1982).…”

“…However, predictions of potato yield response to plant density have been limited due to variability in yield components within and across multiple experiments (Allen and Wurr, 1992; Bleasdale, 1965; Hammes, 1985; Lynch and Rowberry, 1977; Lynch et al, 2001; Wurr et al, 1990, 1992, 1993). Differences in potato seed production, seed size, and handling have affected stems and tubers per plant within a common variety and contributed to variability in crop yield response to plant density (Bleasdale, 1965; Iritani et al, 1983; Knowles and Knowles, 2006; Knowles et al, 1985; Lynch and Rowberry, 1977; Lynch et al, 2001; O'Brien and Allen, 1992; Sekhon and Singh, 1985; Strange and Blackmore, 1990; Wurr et al, 1990, 1992, 1993). Stem density predicted potato crop yield better than plant density, in part because stem density predicted tuber density more accurately than plant density (Allen and Wurr, 1992; Bleasdale, 1965; De la Morena et al, 1994; Lynch et al, 2001; Wurr et al, 1990; Zebarth et al, 2006).…”