Transplanting Hybrid Potato Seedlings at Increased Densities Enhances Tuber Yield and Shifts Tuber-Size Distributions

Abstract To contribute to the development of a novel cropping system for potato grown from greenhouse-derived seedlings hybrid true seeds, planting density trials were carried out under normal Dutch agronomic conditions. For two consecutive years, 5-week-old experimental genotypes transplanted into farmers’ production fields at contrasting locations: flat-bed on sandy soil and traditional ridge clay soil. Planting densities 6.25, 12.5, 25, 50, 100 200 plants/m 2 in system, 3.125, 4.688, 25 50 system. In general, increasing per area decreased tuber fresh weight plant reduced number tubers plant. On hectare basis, an increased resulted total yield up very high densities, but finally both parameters levelled off. Highest yields harvested 107 45 Mg/ha respectively. flat-beds, optimal was . ridges, interacted with year genotype, resulting optimum reach maximum yield. Obtained commercial size classes Baby Baker (20 < class ≤ 35 mm) Seed Tubers (28 general Tuber 64 The current study showed that are feasible alternatives seed-tuber-grown systems certain outlets.