Potato Seed Piece Size, Spacing, and Seeding Rate Effects on Yield, Quality and Economic Return

Abstract

It has been observed that potato producers often focus more on the quantity of potato seed pieces being planted per unit area than on seed piece size and placement within the row. This study compared the effects of seed quantity per unit area (Mg ha −1 ) or seed piece size and in-row spacing on potato yield and quality. Hand-cut certified seed of three potato cultivars (Alturas, Russet Norkotah, Ranger Russet) of three size classes (42, 64 or 85 g) were planted at in-row seed piece spacings of 20, 30 or 40 cm. Three of the treatments (42-g seed pieces planted at 20 cm, 64-g seed pieces planted at 30 cm, and 85-g seed pieces planted at 40 cm) resulted in equal weights of seed planted (2.28 Mg ha −1 ). Increasing seed piece size from 42 to 85 g resulted in higher total yield regardless of in-row spacing. U.S. No. 1 yield was increased only at the 40-cm in-row spacing when 42-and 85-g seed pieces were planted. Increasing seed piece spacing from 20 to 40 cm resulted in lower total and U.S. No. 1 yields at all three seed piece size treatments. However, equal seeding rates of 2.28 Mg ha −1 resulted in equal total and U.S. No. 1 yields. Altering seed piece size or in-row spacing had little effect on tuber yields in the 285-397-g size category. A fresh-pack economic gross returns analysis of Russet Norkotah based on tuber size distribution less seed costs resulted in higher gross returns per ha only for 85-g seed pieces planted at 40 cm compared with planting 42-or 64-g seed pieces at a the 40 cm. At an equal seeding rate of 2.28 Mg ha −1 , paired t-tests indicated there were no differences in gross returns per ha. However, the effects of seed piece size and spacing on economic return will depend on cost of seed and the selling price of the harvested potatoes.Resumen Se ha observado que los productores de papa a menudo se enfocan más en la cantidad de piezas de semilla que están siendo plantadas por unidad de área que en el tamaño de la pieza y su colocación en el surco. Este estudio comparó los efectos de la cantidad de semilla por unidad de área (Mg ha −1 ) o el tamaño de la pieza de semilla y el espaciamiento en el surco, sobre el rendimiento y la calidad de la papa. Se plantaron piezas cortadas a mano de semilla certificada de tres variedades (Alturas, Russet Norkotah, Ranger Russet), de tres tamaños (42, 64, 85 g), en espaciamientos en el surco de 20, 30, o 40 cm entre unidades. Tres de los tratamientos (piezas de semilla de 42 g plantadas a 20 cm, piezas de 64 g a 30 cm, y piezas de 85 g a 40 cm), dieron como resultado pesos iguales de semilla plantada (2.28 Mg ha −1 ). El incremento en el tamaño de la pieza de 42 a 85 g resultó en rendimiento total más alto independientemente del espaciamiento dentro del surco. Se aumentó el rendimiento de U.S. No. 1 solo con el espaciamiento a 40 cm cuando se plantaron piezas de semilla de 42 y 85 g. El aumento en el espaciamiento de 20 a 40 cm resultó en más bajo rendimiento total y de U.S. No.

Growing Potato Profitably for Organic Dry Matter Production in Western Nebraska

“…Studying Atlantic and Monona under non-irrigated conditions in Ohio, seed-piece size between 35 and 58 g did not affect yield (Kleinhenz and Bennett 1992). Rykbost and Locke (1999) reported that three russet cultivars grown under irrigation yield highest when seedpiece weight was at least 50 g (Russet Norkotah) or 64 g (Russet Burbank and Century Russet); Bohl et al (2011) reported 64 g for Alturas, Ranger Russet and Russet Norkotah. These studies agreed with the findings here on Atlantic.…”

“…Studies on Russet Burbank gave similar results (Iritani et al 1972;Schotzko et al 1984) concluding that optimal yields occurred when seed-piece weight was 57 g and seed spacing was 23 cm. Bohl et al (2011) observed that, across three russet cultivars, yield increased to seed-piece size of 64 g and spacing of 30 cm. They also reported that there was no difference in yield for the same amount of seed planted regardless of seedpiece size or spacing.…”

The Effect of Growth Regulators and a Biostimulator on the Health Status, Yield and Yield Components of Potatoes (Solanum tuberosum L.)

“…In the last year of the study, potato cultivars Valfi, Blaue St. Galler and HB Red (with purpleand red-colored flesh) were characterized by predominance (76-92%) of small tubers. According to Bohl et al (2011), growth regulators decrease the percentage of medium-sized potato tubers. Blauer et al (2013) demonstrated that the application of gibberellic acid (GA) decreased the percentage of tubers weighing 198 g and more and increased the share of smaller tubers in red-skinned potatoes of cv.…”

Increasing In-Row Spacing Enhances Potato Virus Y and Potato Leafroll Virus Spread in Potato

“…For cvs. Alturas, Russet Norkotah, and Ranger Russet, 30 cm resulted in the highest yields (Bohl et al 2011). Arsenault et al (2001) studied eight cultivars and found that an in-row spacing of 25 cm proved the highest marketable yield seven out of eight varieties.…”

“…To do so, producers choose row spacing and plant populations that minimize seed costs but maximize yields. For potato, Solanum tuberosum L., variety, seed piece size, tuber size, and chip or fresh markets all play a role in deciding which in-row spacing is used (Schotzko et al 1984;Creamer et al 1999;Bohl et al 2011). In general, as in-row spacing increases, so does tuber size.…”