ISHS Acta Horticulturae 214: Agrometeorology of the Potato Crop
AN ANALYSIS OF VARIATION IN YIELD AMONG POTATO CULTIVARS IN TERMS OF LIGHT ABSORPTION, LIGHT UTILIZATION AND DRY MATTER PARTITIONING |
| Author: | C.J.T. SPITTERS |
| Abstract:
Growth and yield formation of 5 potato cultivars were followed over 2 years. Yield differences were analysed in terms of light absorption, light use efficiency and dry matter partitioning. Early cultivars allocated already in an early phase the major part of the current assimilates to tuber growth, which was at the expense of leaf growth. That caused an early senescence of the foliage. Early cultivars had, therefore, a smaller cumulative light absorption but a greater harvest index. Tuber yield showed an optimum relationship with the maturity class of the cultivar. The growth analysis procedure is formulated as a simple crop growth model. The seasonal trend of light interception is defined as a function of degree-days and maturity class of the cultivar. Daily growth rate is calculated from incident light, the fraction intercepted by the foliage and average light use efficiency. Tuber yield is calculated from harvest index, being a function of degree-days and maturity class, and total biomass. | |
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