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Determination of optimum tuber planting density for production of tubers in processing ware grades in the potato variety Record

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 March 2009

D. C. E. Wurr ,
J. R. Fellows ,
R. A. Sutherland  and
E. J. Allen
D. C. E. Wurr
Affiliation:
AFRC Institute of Horticultural Research, Wellesbourne, Warwick CV35 9EF, UK
J. R. Fellows
Affiliation:
AFRC Institute of Horticultural Research, Wellesbourne, Warwick CV35 9EF, UK
R. A. Sutherland
Affiliation:
AFRC Institute of Horticultural Research, Wellesbourne, Warwick CV35 9EF, UK
E. J. Allen
Affiliation:
Cambridge University Farm, Huntingdon Road, Girton, Cambridge, CB3 OLH, UK
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Summary

A series of experiments examining the influences of size and spacing of planted potato tubers (‘seed’ tubers) on tuber yields was conducted at four sites in the UK in 1982–84. A new approach to data analysis was used to estimate the optimum tuber planting density for different ware grades. The optimum density, which maximized returns, decreased with increasing seed tuber weight and ratio of seed-tuber cost to ware value and with lower than average total tuber yields. Changing the required ware grade from 40–65 mm to 40–80 mm had a minimal effect on the optimum tuber planting density.

Optimum tuber planting densities were lower than in published recommendations but this disparity appeared to be accounted for by differences in the number of stems produced by each planted tuber. There was some evidence that, with lower seed-tuber weights, the optimum planting density differed with site and that at optimum economic densities small and medium seed tubers outyielded large seed tubers.

Type
Research Article
Information
The Journal of Agricultural Science , Volume 114 , Issue 1 , January 1990 , pp. 11 - 18
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1990

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References

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