Effects of gamma-irradiation of seed potatoes on numbers of stems and tubers.

Abstract

In field trials with potatoes cv. Bintje, Jaerla and Spunta in which the seed tubers had been treated with gamma -rays from a ⁶⁰Co source with doses varying from 0.5 to 27 Gy, tuber yield, harvest index and number of stems and tubers were determined. A dose of 3 Gy increased the number of tubers by 30% in Spunta in 2 out of 3 trials and by 17% in one trial in Jaerla, but it did not increase the number of tubers in Bintje. Doses of 9 or 10 Gy did not influence the number of tubers nor stems, and decreased harvest index. A dose of 27 Gy yielded off-type plants with reduced yield and number of tubers. gamma -Radiation affected the growth of the sprout apex, allowing lateral buds or divisions of the affected apex to develop into stems. To achieve larger numbers of tuber-bearing stems, tubers should preferably be irradiated at the start of sprout growth, about 5 months before planting. (Abstract retrieved from CAB Abstracts by CABI’s permission)