| Title |
Investigators | Department | Objectives | Approach Keywords | Progress Reports | Impact Statements | Publications | |
Project * COL00711 | |
| Title | Development of cultivar specific management profiles for new and existing potato cultivars. |
| Investigator(s) | Essah, SY; |
| Department | Horticulture and Landscape Architecture |
| Objectives | 1. Develop cultural management profiles for new and existing potato cultivars to improve yield and quality. 2. Determine the physiological basis for differences in cultivar yield and quality when managed under different cultural practices, using growth analysis data. 3 . Break dormancy of long dormant minitubers using the technique of green sprouting before planting. 4. Develop storage profiles for new and existing potato cultivars. |
| Approach | Field studies will be conducted to determine the effect of N application rate on the performance of new potato cultivars. Treatments will consist of different N application rates and different split application times. Method of N application will be based on the recommended method for standard cultivars. The effect of vine kill and harvest date on cultivar performance will also be studied. Treatments will consist of three harvest dates. Field studies will be carried out to test the tolerance of new potato cultivars to pre- and post-emergence application of metribuzin. Other cultural management studies will include time interval between vine kill and harvest, within row spacing, precutting seed vs. whole seed, planting death, warming seed vs. fresh seed, effect of seed size, N use efficiency and light use efficiency of cultivars. Data Collection: Soil and water N analysis to determine soil NO3-N available before application of N at planting. Herbicide injury to crops will be evaluated two weeks after post-emergence application of the herbicide, petiole NO3-N concentration at different growth stages will be measured. Final yield samples will be graded into specific size classes. Marketable and cull yields will be determined. Tuber quality will also be determined. Tuber samples from all treatments will be tested for shatter bruise and specific gravity. Growth and development of cultivars planted to different cultural management practices will be studied. Potato plants will be sampled at 2 wk. intervals and partitioned into leaves, stems, tubers, and roots+stolons. Dry weights of these plant components will be measured to determine how efficient the individual cultivars partition assimilate into tubers. Leaf chlorophyll will be measured at 2 wk. intervals and related to plant NO3-N content and final yield to provide growers with a rapid method for assessing plant N nutritional status, as well as N use efficiency of the clones. Leaf area measurements and canopy light interception will be measured at 2 wk. intervals to determine rate of leaf development and ground cover by individual cultivars. These measurements will be related to tuber yield, to determine light use efficiency of each clone. Minitubers of long dormant cultivars will be green-sprouted under different temperatures and for different time intervals in the green house before planting. Data from this study will help develop a protocol for breaking dormancy of long dormant minitubers before planting. Each experiment will be a split plot design, with management practices as main plots and cultivars as sub plots. Each treatment will consist of four rows of potatoes , and replicated three times. Performance of new cultivars will be compared to standard cultivars. The storability of potato cultivars will be studied under different temperature and humidity variables. At monthly intervals, samples of each cultivar will be pulled to determine weight loss, sprout number, sprout length, number of damaged tubers, and red skin color in the case of Reds. Tuber greening will also be measured. For chippers and russets (french fries), samples will be analyzed for glucose and sucrose content. |
| Keywords | Cultural management, New potato cultivars Production, variables Cultivar yield, quality Growth analysis, Breaking dormancy, Green sprouting, Storage profiles |
| Progress Reports | |
| 2003 | Unique differences exist among potato cultivars which may have significant impact on their management. Cultivar specific management profiles may result in a more successful experience for producers & industry when trying a new cultivar. Management profiles consist of cultivar specific information pertinent to production such as nutrient management, plant population, herbicide tolerance, harvest date, & other variables. Studies are designed to test the effect of these management practices on yield & quality of new & existing potato cultivars. Information obtained from these trials in addition to grower evaluation, is utilized in developement of the management guideline. NITROGEN APPLICATION RATE: Experiments were conducted to evaluate the effect of nitrogen (N) application rate on tuber yield & quality of several advanced & established potato cultivars. CO94084-12RU produced optimum yield 588quintal/ha(525 cwt/ac) at low N rate 90kg/ha(80 lb/ac), & increased total & marketable yield by 15 & 2%, respectively, over Russet(RU) Norkotah (the established early season, fresh market cultivar). AC93026-9RU produced optimum yield 599q/ha(535 cwt/ac) at N rate of 157 kg/ha(140 lb/ac), & increased total yield by 19% over optimum RU Norkotah yield 505q/ha(451 cwt/ac), produced at N rate of 290 kg/ha(260 lb/ac). Two specialty lines (CO94183-1R/R & VC0967-2R/Y) produced higher total (29 & 34%, respectively) & marketable (13 & 34%, respectively) yields at 90 kg/ha(80 lb/ac) N rate, than All Blue-448 kg/ha(400 cwt/ac) total yield & 48% marketable yield at optimum N rate of 179 kg/ha (160 lb/ac). Some of the new cultivars being studied can produce high yields with low N input. Compared to N rates used by growers, the cost of N application could be reduced by 50%. Low N application rates will minimize health risks from soil nitrate contamination of ground waters. SEED PIECE SPACING: Seven advanced clones & established cultivars were evaluated at 4 within-row spacings (6, 9, 12, & 15 inches). AC93026-9RU produced optimal yield 558 q/ha(499 cwt/ac) at the wider spacing , & was superior to RU Norkotah for total yield at all 4 plant populations. At the optimal seed piece spacing of 15 inches, AC93026-9RU increased total yield by 10% but marketable yield was reduced by 9% when compared to RU Norkotah. The 3 russet lines tested were superior to RU Nugget at all 4 seed piece spacings. RU Norkotah & AC93026-9RU when planted at the wider seed piece spacing will reduce the quantity of seeds planted/acre, & therefore reduce the cost of seed for planting. VINE KILLING DATE: Vine killing at 100 & 120 days after planting (DAP) were tested for yield & quality of 3 russet selections, 2 established cultivars, 1 red selection & an established cultivar. Higher yield & best quality for all russets were obtained when vines were killed at 120 (DAP). METRIBUZIN SENSITIVITY: Sixteen advanced selections & named cultivars were screened for pre- & post-emergence metribuzin tolerance. For the russet selection CO95086-8RU & the specialty line VC1015-7R/Y, metribuzin should be applied pre-emergence for weed control. All other selections & named cultivars were not sensitive to metribuzin. |
| 2004 | Differences exist among potato cultivars which may have significant impact on their management . The development of cultivar specific management profiles may result in a more successful experience for producers and industry when trying a new cultivar. In 2004, cultivar specific management profiles for two new varieties (Rio Grande Russet and Colorado Rose) were made available to growers. In 2004, studies were designed to evaluate the effect of different cultural management practices, including nutrient management, plant population, vine killing and harvest date, seed size and age, on yield and quality of advanced selections from the Colorado breeding and cooperating programs. A total of 27 advance and established potato cultivars were evaluated in cultural management and physiological studies in 11 different experiments. The cultivars included 12 Russets, 4 Reds, 3 Round whites (chippers), and 8 Specialty clones. An examination of two years data of a nitrogen (N) rate study showed that for the Russets AC93026-9RU and CO93001-11RU, an application of 140 lb N/A could produce optimum marketable yield of 315 to 330 cwt/A (35.3 to37.0 Mg/ha), with no internal defects, and with high specific gravity (SG) of 1.080 to 1.088, when compared to yields from higher N application rates. Klamath Russet which is being evaluated in cooperation with Oregon State University produced an optimum tuber yield of 491 cwt/A 55 Mg/ha) with a high SG of 1.081, when 140 lb N/A was applied. Data from two years studies indicated that for optimum marketable yield of 315 to 330 cwt/A (35.3 to37.0 Mg/ha), and specific gravity of 1.088 to 1.090, AC93026-9RU and CO93001-11RU should be planted at 12 inches (in.) within-row spacing. Sangre planted at 12 in. spacing could produce optimum marketable yield of 400 cwt/A (44.8 Mg/ha), but for CO930037-6R, an optimum marketable yield of 330 cwt/A (37.0 Mg/ha), and SG of 1.085 can be produced with 9 in. seed spacing. Vine killing Russet Norkotah at 100 days after planting (DAP), and vine killing AC93026-9RU and CO93001-11RU at 110 DAP could result in optimum marketable yield with high tuber quality. With such vine killing management, AC93026-9RU can produce up to 450, and CO93001-11RU up to 390 cwt/A (50.4 and 44.0 Mg/ha, respectively)marketable size tubers, with SG of between 1.085 to 1.090, and no internal defects. For optimum yield, Sangre should be killed at 100 DAP [600 cwt/A (67.2 Mg/ha)] and CO930037-6R at 110 DAP [355 cwt/A (40.0 Mg/ha)]. In a nitrogen by seed spacing interaction experiment, the specialty potato, CO94165-3P/P produced an optimum yield of 305 cwt/A (34 Mg/ha) with a specific gravity of 1.082, a lower percentage of external defects (2.8%), and no internal defects when seed pieces were planted at 14 in. spacing with N rate of 120 lb/A. For the specialty potato CO94183-1R/R, an application of 60 lb N/A with seed spacing at 14 in. produced an optimum yield of 270 cwt/A(30 Mg/ha) with a high SG of 1.089, and no internal defects. |
| 2005 | Each potato cultivar, or advanced selection, has its own unique set of cultural management requirements. A grower of a new cultivar is much more successful when release is accompanied by cultivar specific management guidelines. The objective of this project is to determine cultural management practices for successful, sustainable and economic production of advanced clonal selections and newly released potato cultivars, which optimize their genetic potential , while minimizing economic inputs and environmental impact. In 2005, horticultural evaluations were conducted on 28 potato cultivars and clonal selections in 14 trials at 5 locations. These trials assessed essential information on yield, tuber size distribution, internal and external tuber defects, and tuber specific gravity, as influenced by plant spacing, nitrogen (N) fertilization rate, N application timing, vine kill timing, regulation of stem numbers to define tuber size profile, and spraying esters of 2,4-D to enhance the skin color of red potatoes. Maximum yield and premium size tubers of the cultivar Rio Grand Russet were produced when nitrogen (N) application was properly timed. A pre-plant application of 67 kg N/ha and a delay of the in-season application of N until 7 weeks after planting (WAP) increased total yield by 14 and 9% when compared to starting in-season application of N at 5- and 6- WAP, respectively. Yields of marketable size tubers were also increased by 8 and 5%, respectively. Rio Grand Russet planted at 30 cm in-row spacing produced premium marketable size tubers of high yield 54 Mg/ha) and minimum external tuber defects (0.2%). Vines of this cultivar that were killed at 110 DAP produced maximum total (79 Mg/ha) and marketable size tuber (59 Mg/ha) yield, with less external tuber defects (1.1%) and high specific gravity (SG) (1.085). A delay in the in-season application of N from 5- or 6- to 7-WAP for the cultivar Colorado Rose resulted in total and marketable tuber yield increase of 9 and 8%, respectively, and a high SG of 1.084. Colorado Rose planted at in-row spacing of 35 cm produced maximum total (72 Mg/ha) and marketable size tuber (61 Mg/ha) yield , with high SG of 1.089. Vines of Colorado Rose should be killed at 110 DAP to produce maximum yield (83 Mg/ha) of premium size tubers (68 Mg/ha), with minimum external defects (0 .6%) and high SG (1.085). In a study to evaluate the effect of N application rate and in-row seed spacing on the cultivars Purple Majesty and Mountain Rose, it was observed that for Purple Majesty, maximum tuber yield (67 Mg/ha) was produced with no external tuber defects when N was applied at a rate of 200 kg/ha and seed was planted at 25 cm within rows. For Mountain Rose, N applied at 67 kg/ha, and seed planted at 30 cm, produced maximum total (55 Mg/ha) and marketable tuber (41 Mg/ha) yield, with minimum external (0.6%) and no internal tuber defects, when compared to N rates of 134 to 268 kg/ha, and seed spacing of 25 or 35 cm. Application of 68 ml of weedone (ester of 2,4-D) enhanced the red color of the cultivar Sangre. Colorado Rose did not benefit from weedone application because this clone naturally has a dark red color. |
| 2006 | Each potato cultivar, or advance selection, has its own unique set of cultural management requirements. To maximize yield and produce premium size and grade tubers, clone specific cultural management requirements need to be determined. A grower of a new cultivar, and the potato industry as a whole is much more successful when release is accompanied by cultivar specific management guidelines. The objective of this project is to establish cultural management practices for successful, sustainable and economic production of advance clonal selections and newly released potato cultivars, which optimize their genetic potential, while minimizing economic inputs and environmental impact. In 2006, horticultural evaluations were conducted on 31 potato cultivars and clonal selections in 16 trials at 7 locations. Tests included 12 russets, 4 reds, 5 round whites, and 10 specialty types planted in replicated plots. These trials assessed essential information on yield, tuber size distribution, internal and external tuber defects, tuber specific gravity, plant spacing, nitrogen (N) fertilization rate, in-season N management, pre-plant N application rate, irrigation management, vine kill timing and harvest date, regulation of stem numbers to define tuber size profile, effect of cut seed vs. drop (whole) seed, spraying esters of 2, 4-D to enhance the skin color of red potatoes, and general resistance to physiological disorders. To reduce N leak into the environment during early stages of plant growth, and to maximize tuber yield and quality, a study was conducted to evaluate the effect of pre-plant N rate on Canela Russet tuber yield and quality. Maximum total (46 Mg ha-1) and marketable (41 Mg ha-1) tuber yield were produced for Canela russet at pre-plant N rate of 90 kg ha-1 and a total of 157 kg ha-1 N rate. No external or internal tuber defects were observed and tuber specific gravity was high (1.093). Total tuber yield of Rio Colorado (NDC5281-2R) increased by 8% and marketable tuber yield by 10% when minimum amount of N fertilizer (67 kg ha-1) was applied, compared to a high N rate of 269 kg ha-1. At N rate of 67 kg ha-1 tuber external defect was less than 3% and no tuber internal defect was observed. At this low N rate seed should be planted at in-row seed spacing of 30 cm and between row spacing of 85 cm. In a study where the amount of irrigation water applied was reduced by 20% at three different in-row seed spacing, it was observed that total and marketable tuber yield of Rio Grande Russet did not significantly differ from the full irrigation treatment when seeds were planted at 30 cm in-row spacing. Total yield was 54 and 57 Mg ha-1 for reduced and full irrigation treatment, respectively, and marketable yield was 34 and 39 Mg ha-1 for reduced and full irrigation treatment, respectively. External tuber defects were 2.7 and 6.6% for reduced and full irrigation treatment, respectively, and internal tuber defect was 1.7 and 1.1%, respectively. In 2006, management recommendation guidelines were completed for Rio Grande Russet, Colorado Rose, Purple Majesty and Mountain Rose. |
| Impact | |
| 2003 | New potato cultivars being studied in this project could produce high yields with best quality at low nitrogen application rates, using appropriate seed piece spacing. This will reduce the cost of production, and also reduce the risk of soil nitrate contamination of ground waters. Killing vines at the appropriate date after planting will result in matured and acceptable tuber size. Information obtained from the various management studies will be used to develop management profiles for each new cultivar that is released. This will help growers of the new cultivars, and industry, to increase profits. |
| 2004 | New potato cultivars being studied in this project could produce high yields with good quality tubers at lower nitrogen application rates than the rates most growers are using currently, and using appropriate seed piece spacing. This will reduce the cost of production in terms of fertilizer and seed purchase, and also reduce the risk of soil nitrate contamination of ground waters. Killing vines at the appropriate date after planting will result in matured and acceptable tuber size. Information obtained from the various management studies have been used to develop management profiles for two new varieties and will be used to develop management profiles for each new cultivar that is released. This will help growers of the new cultivars, and industry, to increase profits. |
| 2005 | The development of cultivar specific management profiles will help potato growers achieve the yield potential of each cultivar that is grown, and also, help produce premium size and grade tubers. The application of optimum nitrogen rates at the appropriate time for the production of specific potato clones could reduce the cost of production and the risk of ground water pollution through nitrate leaching. The use of appropriate seed piece spacing could reduce the number of seed planted per hectare, which could reduce production cost and optimize yield and tuber quality. Killing potato vines at the right time will result in mature and acceptable tuber size and quality for target markets. The enhancement of color in red potatoes will increase consumer acceptability and increased profit to growers of the cultivar. |
| 2006 | The development of cultivar specific management guidelines will help potato growers achieve the yield potential of each cultivar that is grown, and also, help produce premium size and grade tubers. The application of optimum nitrogen rates at the appropriate time for the production of specific potato clones could reduce the cost of production and the risk of ground water pollution through nitrate leaching. The use of appropriate seed piece spacing could reduce the number of seed planted per hectare, which could reduce production cost and optimize yield and tuber quality. Killing potato vines at the right time will result in mature and acceptable tuber size and quality for target markets. The enhancement of color in red potatoes will increase consumer acceptability and increased profit to growers of the cultivar. |
| Publications | |
| 2004 |
Essah, S.Y.C. 2004. Yield and quality of two red potatoes in the San Luis Valley: Influence of nitrogen rate and seed piece spacing. Pomme de terre. 10:7-8. Essah, S.Y.C. and C.W. Honeycutt. 2004. Tillage and seed-sprouting strategies to improve potato yield and quality in short season climates. Am J Potato Res. 81:177-186. Essah, S.Y.C. and D.G. Holm. 2004. Response of three Colorado specialty potatoes to nitrogen application rate. In Annual Meetings Abstract [CD-ROM]. Potato Association of America. August 8-12. Scottsbluff, Nebraska. Essah, S.Y.C., D.G. Holm and J.A. Delgado. 2004. Yield and quality of two U.S. Red Potatoes: Influence of nitrogen rate and plant population. Proceedings of the 4th International Crop Science Congress. Sept. 26-Oct.1, 2004. Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. Essah, S.Y.C., J.A. Delgado and D.G. Holm. 2004. Dry matter accumulation, partitioning, and leaf area duration in two Colorado red potatoes: Influence of nitrogen application rate. In Annual Meetings Abstracts [CD-ROM]. ASA, CSSA, SSSA, Oct. 31-Nov. 4, 2004. Seattle, WA. Halloran, J.M., S.Y.C. Essah and C.W. Honeycutt. 2004. An economic analysis of green sprouted seeds, alternate bed construction, and tillage systems for potatoes. In Annual Meetings Abstracts [CD-ROM]. ASA, CSSA, SSSA, Oct. 31-Nov. 4, 2004. Seattle, WA. Holm, D.G., R.D. Davidson and S.Y.C. Essah. 2004. Rio Grande: A New high quality fresh market russet. Colorado Spud Items. Volume1, Issue 2, page 5. Holm, D.G., R.D. Davidson and S.Y.C. Essah. 2004. Colorado Rose:A new High yielding red. Colorado Spud Items. Volume 1, Issue 3, page 5. |
| 2005 |
Essah, S.Y.C. 2005. Impact of vine kill timing on yield, tuber size distribution and quality of two red potatoes. Colorado Spud Items. Vol.2, Issue 3, page 4. Essah, S.Y.C. 2005. Influence of nitrogen rate on yield and quality of colored-flesh potatoes. Colorado Spud Items. Vol. 2, Issue 1, page 5. Essah, S.Y.C., Delgado, J.A., Holm, D.G., and Davidson, R.D. 2005. Effect of nitrogen fertilizer on yield and quality of Colorado Russet Potato lines. In Annual Meetings Abstract [CD-ROM]. ASA, CSSA, SSSA, Nov. 6-10. Salt Lake City, UT. Essah, S.Y.C., Holm, D.G., and Davidson, R.D. 2005. Timing vine kill to manipulate yield, tuber size distribution and quality of two red potatoes. In Annual Meetings Abstract. P22. http://www.umaine.edu/paa/ |
| 2006 |
Essah, S.Y.C. 2006. Nitrogen management in potato production. Proceedings of the 24th Annual Southern Rocky Mountain Agricultural Conference and Trade Fair. Supplementary pages. Essah, S.Y.C. and J.A. Delgado. 2006. Nitrogen management for maximizing potato yield, tuber quality, and environmental conservation. Submitted. Journal Springer of The Netherlands-Will publish papers from the First International Conference on Environmental Research, Technology and Policy Essah, S.Y.C., D.G. Holm, and R.D. Davidson. 2006. In-season nitrogen management for improved yield and quality of two potato cultivars. In Proceedings [CD-ROM]. World Potato Congress, Boise, ID. Essah, S.Y.C., D.G. Holm, and R.D. Davidson. 2006. Yield and skin color response of Colorado red potatoes to 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid application. In Annual Meetings Abstract. Potato Association of America. Madison, WI, U.S.A. Essah, S.Y.C., D.G. Holm, and R.D. Davidson. 2006. Timing vine desiccation to optimize yield, tuber size distribution and quality of two Colorado Russet Potato. In Annual Meetings Abstract [CD-ROM]. ASA,CSSA,SSSA. Indianapolis, In. U.S.A. |