INFLUENCE OF IN-ROW DISTANCES ON POTATO (SOLANUM TUBEROSUM) SEED YIELD AND ECONOMIC FEASIBILITY

摘要

Field studies were conducted in the Dominican Republic to determine the effect of in-row spacing on 'Granola' potato (Solatium tuberosum L.) seed yield and economic feasibility. In vitro seedlings were transplanted on raised beds with in-row spacing of 0.20, 0.25, 0.30, 0.35, and 0.40 m, and 0.75 m between planting beds. The results indicated that in-row distances of 0.20 and 0.25 m increased total tuber number and weight, and tuber weight per plant. The marginal return rate increased by 13% when in-row distance decreased from 0.35 to 0.25 m. Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) multiplication can occur through sexual and asexual methods. Although sexual potato seed is used to breed potato varieties, tubers are regularly used to produce this crop under field conditions. Because of this situation, potato multiplication programs are found throughout the world to ensure tuber quality and supply. These programs rely on open-field, greenhouse or hydropon-ic systems to obtain small tubers or 'minitubers', whichare used for further multiplications. In order to obtain minitubers. in vitro potato seedlings are transplanted in potting medium and grown from 6 to 10 weeks, depending on the potato variety (Bryan and Melendez, 1985). In most cases, the mini-tubers produced are between 5 and 15 mm in diameter and have the potential to produce complete potato plants. After 6 to 12 weeks under diffuse-light storage, potato minituber sprouting occurs and these are planted in the field to obtain basic potato tubers.