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ARS Home » Midwest Area » Madison, Wisconsin » Vegetable Crops Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #282433

Title: Examination of potential measures of vine maturity in potato

Author
item HAGA, EMILY - University Of Wisconsin
item WEBER, BROOKE - University Of Wisconsin
item Jansky, Shelley

Submitted to: American Journal of Plant Sciences
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/29/2012
Publication Date: 4/1/2012
Citation: Haga, E., Weber, B., Jansky, S.H. 2012. Examination of potential measures of vine maturity in potato. American Journal of Plant Sciences. 3:495-505.

Interpretive Summary: Potato cultivars are classified as early-, medium- or late-maturing, based on extensive evaluations across several years. This study was carried out to determine whether maturity can be predicted based on leaf chlorophyll levels, leaf peroxidase activity or flower production. Chlorophyll levels in leaves provided the best estimate of maturity class, so it may be a useful trait for breeders to evaluate when classifying clones in early generations of their programs.

Technical Abstract: Plant maturity is a complex physiological trait. The criteria used to characterize plant maturity are not universal among crop plants. In potato, vine characteristics are typically used to estimate plant maturity. This study investigates several reported measures of vine maturity in potato cultivars, including leaf chlorophyll content, leaf peroxidase activity, and flower development. Chlorophyll and peroxidase measures were the most accurate indicators of maturity class, with chlorophyll measurements across the season showing the most promise for predicting vine maturity.