Skip to main content
ARS Home » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #225005
Title: Field and Greenhouse Performance of Potato Sprouts

Author
item Kuhl, Joseph
item Pantoja, Alberto
item SMEENK, JEFFERY - UNIVERSITY OF ALASKA
item CAMPBELL, WILLIAM - ALASKA PLANT MATLS CNTR

Submitted to: American Journal of Potato Research
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/20/2008
Publication Date: 4/20/2009
Citation: Kuhl, J.C., Pantoja, A., Smeenk, J., Campbell, W. 2009. Field and Greenhouse Performance of Potato Sprouts [abstract]. American Journal of Potato Research. 86(2):150.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: The use of potato sprouts as a seed source is an innovative idea that has gained international recognition in recent years. The potato industry in Alaska currently relies on freshpack for the majority of sales. A low level of disease pressure on potato seed production in Alaska suggests high quality seed can be produced. One limitation to export is high shipping costs. The utilization of potato sprouts for export would drive down shipping expenses, and lower overhead expenses. We compare potato sprouts with, seed-pieces, minitubers and tissue culture under field and greenhouse environments for three cultivars, Atlantic, Bintje and Shepody. A randomized complete block design of three replications was conducted at the University of Alaska – Fairbanks experiment station in Palmer, Alaska. Seed sources were evaluated for emergence, number of stems per plant, number of tubers per plant, yield per plant and tuber size classification. Under greenhouse conditions potato sprouts were comparable to other seed sources for emergence, but performed poorly in the field compared to minitubers and seed-pieces. Other characters varied by cultivar and environment.