Emergence and yield from seed potatoes after immersion in sodium hypochlorite solutions

Abstract

Dormant potato tubers of variety ‘Ham Hardy’ were treated by immersion in NaOCl (1% available chlorine) for 2 h, rinsed in water, dried, and planted. Plants from treated seed emerged faster, produced more stems, and yielded a greater weight and number of tubers than plants from untreated seed. Over several plantings, yield increases averaged about 20%. Rate of emergence of Ilam Hardy plants was reduced when non-dormant sprouted seed was treated. A post-treatment storage period of 3–4 weeks before planting prevented this depression. NaOC1 concentration greater than 1% available chlorine, or an immersion time longer than 2 h, adversely affected tuber performance. Emergence and yield of plants from sprouted seed tubers of varieties Ilam Hardy, ‘Arran Banner’ and ‘Red King Edward’ were unaffected when planted 2 weeks after treatment, but emergence of ‘Rua’ was retarded and yield of ‘Sebago’ was reduced.