Morphological and agronomic characterization of potato plants cv. `Andinita' starting from planting in field of microtubers obtained in temporary immersion systems

Abstract

The potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) is one of the most important crops worldwide. Use microtubers as planting material could mean a breakthrough for seed production programs. This study aimed to determine the morphological characteristics and field agronomic response of potato plants cv. `Andinita' obtained from microtubers of different diameters and fresh mass produced in temporary immersion systems. The microtubers were classified in four diameters, 10 mm and stored in plastic containers at a temperature ranging between 11.0 and 15.0°C. At the time of planting was observed the microtubers with a diameter less than 4.0 mm were dehydrated and therefore were not used. At 21 days of the plantation differences in the survival of plants were significant, the highest percentage (93.9%) was achieved by planting microtubers with more than 10 mm diameter. Microtubers obtaining in temporary immersion systems did not affect the morphological characteristics of the plants during their growth cycle and from the point of view agricultural an average of 8.5 at 9.5 tubers by plant was achieved. With a relative yield per plant between 1.9 - 2.3 kg and 16 to 23% of tubers with desired characteristics for conservation as seed. It was shown that both the vegetative development of the plantation as the number and fresh weight of tubers obtained depended on the size and fresh weight of microtubers used as planting material and that may use them for direct planting in the field. Key words: microtubers, seed, Solanum tuberosum subsp. andigenum