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Title: EFFECT OF VERTICILLIUM WILT ON YIELD, TUBER SIZE DISTRIBUTION, SPECIFIC GRAVITY AND CHIP COLOR IN POTATOES

Author
item Goth, Robert
item Haynes, Kathleen

Submitted to: American Journal of Potato Research
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/26/1997
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Verticillium wilt causes significant yield reductions in susceptible potato cultivars. We determined the relationship between resistance or susceptibility to Verticillium spp. in potato clones and yield, tuber size distribution, specific gravity and chip color. Seven clones were evaluated in Verticillium infected and non-infected plots in 1994 and 1995. Clones were the whole-plot factor, and sub plots were either inoculated with 4 x 10-4 cfu Verticillium spp. at planting or uninoculated. Individual plants were rated for Verticillium wilt symptoms before harvest on a 1=no wilt to 10=dead scale. Total yield, total number of tubers, average tuber weight, number of U.S. No. 1 and B size tubers, weight of U.S. No. 1 and B size tubers, specific gravity and chip color were recorded. There were significant differences among clones for specific gravity and chip color. Reductions in yield, average tuber weight, weight and number of U.S. No. 1 size potatoes, and specific gravity were greater in the Verticillium wilt susceptible clones than in the resistant clones. These results suggest that breeding clones with resistance to Verticillium spp. will reduce yield losses, while maintaining tuber size and specific gravity under disease pressure.