ARS | Publication request: VOLUNTEER POTATO UPDATE FOR THE COLUMBIA BASIN 2002

Submitted to: Potato Progress
Publication Type: Popular Publication
Publication Acceptance Date: January 1, 2002
Publication Date: March 1, 2002
Citation: SEYMOUR, M.D., BOYDSTON, R.A., WILLIAMS, M. VOLUNTEER POTATO UPDATE FOR THE COLUMBIA BASIN 2002. POTATO PROGRESS, WA STATE POTATO COMMISSION. 2(1):1-2. 2002.

Technical Abstract: In order to forecast volunteer potato severity for the upcoming growing seasson, soil temperature at several depths and volunteer potato tuber viability is being monitored at three locations in the Columbia Basin potato growing region of Washington during the 2001-02 winter months. Minimum soil temperatures at 2 inches at Paterson, Quincy and Othello were 31.1, 26.6, and 27.4 0 F, respectively Tubers recovered from 1-½ inches deep or more at Paterson were viable. Tubers recovered below 2.5 inches deep at Quincy were viable. No viable tubers were recovered above 3 inches deep at Othello. Tuber mortality at Paterson is estimated to be 27%. We estimate tuber mortality to be between 42% and 49% at Quincy and Othello.