MSI00P3391 | |
Mawlah, N. Saumtally, S. | |
Effect of interrupting the growth cycle on potato seed production in variety Spunta | |
Adipala, E., Nampala, P. and Osiru, M. (eds), Potatoes for poverty alleviation: Proceedings of the 5th Triennial Conference of the African Potato Association, 29May - 2 June 2000, Kampala, Uganda. | |
APA Conference, Uganda, 2000 | |
book chapter | |
2000 | |
p. 163-166 | |
Kampala, Uganda: African Potato Association | |
En | |
En | |
The production of large tubers in potato variety Spunta poses a problem in seed production owing to the limitation in tuber size acceptable as seed. Its importance in the seed programme with respect to other varieties in Mauritius has contributed in reducing the overall seed multiplication rate resulting in a decrease in seed production. An experiment was carried out to investigate the effect of interrupting the growth cycle on seed production and the economic returns to the producer. The curtailing of the cycle at 8, 9 or 10 weeks after planting did not increase seed yield. Peak seed production was recorded after a cycle of 11 weeks. However, premature harvesting did not bring about a significant increase in seed yield or in the number of seed size tubers. Monetary gains to the producer were affected when the cycle was interrupted early as a result of the reduction in the marketing of the oversize tubers. The experiment showed that the inherent characteristic of the variety to produce large tubers towards the end of the growth cycle may not be easily overcome. | |
Potatoes Varieties Variety Spunta Seeds premature harvest tuber size economic returns | |
Mauritius | |
Potatoes | |
Seeds | |
2000-06-22 | |
En | |
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