Optimization of Potato Cultivation Through the Use of Biostimulator Supporter

Abstract

Seed potato treatment is vital for plant protection, yield enhancement, and product quality. In the conducted research, the plant biostimulator Supporter was applied to evaluate its impact on potato yields and its structure. Supporter contains both synthetic and SL amino acids, which promote plant growth by enhancing nutrient utilization and fostering the development of a more effective root system. Such a formulation allows to maintain better resistance to environmental stresses, which may include drought or nutrient deficiency, among others. The field study was conducted in 2015–2017 in four towns located in different regions of Poland (Barankowo, Głubczyce, Kędrzyno, and Ryn) using a randomized complete block design with a split-plot design. Varieties (‘Innovator’, ‘Lilly’, ‘Lady Claire’, and ‘Verdi’) were tested. The experiment compared the cultivation technology using Supporter biostimulator with which seed potatoes were treated compared to conventional cultivation (control object) by soaking the tubers in distilled water before planting. The total yield of potato tubers after Supporter application was higher by 13.3%, while the commercial yield increased by 21.1% compared to the traditional cultivation method. The most productive, regardless of cultivation technology and years of research, in terms of total tuber yield was the ‘Lilly’ variety with an average yield of 47.95 t∙ha−1, while the least productive variety was the ‘Innovator’ variety with an average yield of 29.93 t∙ha−1. The ‘Lady Claire’ variety had the highest commercial tuber yield, while the ‘Innovator’ variety had the lowest.

Keywords

• cultivars
• localizations
• plant biostimulators
• potato yield
• seed potato treatment
• tuber structure