Potato cultivar BRS F63 Camila has higher yield at lower plant spacing

Abstract

The plant management used in potato crop is usually similar across the main producing regions in Brazil. Same plant spacing are commonly used, despite the differences in climate and soil of the various potato planting areas. The objective of this work was to evaluate the yield of potato cultivars in response to different plant spacing. Experiments were conducted in the field, and the treatments consisted of three cultivars (Agata, BRS Clara and BRS F63 Camila) and three plant spacing (20, 25 and 30 cm) in randomized blocks with three repetitions in two years. The total, marketable and non-marketable tuber yield, total and marketable number of tubers per area and size class, mean total and marketable tuber weight and percentage of tuber dry weight of the tubers were evaluated. Camila was the cultivar with highest yield when spaced 20 cm due to the greater number of tubers in the marketable class 100-200 g. In the 25 and 30 cm plant spacing, there was no difference in yield among cultivars. Depending on the cultivar and the destination of the harvested tubers, producers can choose the most appropriated plant spacing.