Effect of long-term storage at low temperature on storage losses and field performance of seed-potato cultivars.

The effects of 0, 5, 4, 3, 2 and 1 month storage at 0.5 degrees C on storage losses, field emergence and development, stem number/plant, tuber yield and size distribution of seed tubers of 12 potato cultivars were investigated. Cv. Ostara was very susceptible to chilling injury; Alpha, Bea, Draga and Jaerla were susceptible to a lesser extent. Storage losses of unaffected cultivars were low; storage losses of affected cultivars varied from 4.2% for cv. Alpha to 51.4% for cv. Ostara. Only visibly unaffected seed tubers were planted in the field. Field emergence of these was 99.8%. Five months at 0.5 degrees followed by presprouting of the seed increased stem numbers/plant and reduced total tuber yield, but decreased tuber yield in the size grade 28-35 mm. (Abstract retrieved from CAB Abstracts by CABI’s permission)