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Submitted to: American Journal of Potato Research
Publication Type: Proceedings Publication Acceptance Date: 3/27/2013 Publication Date: 2/1/2014 Citation: Bamberg, J.B. 2014. Observed limit of Solanum jamesii tuber dormancy at 14 years. American Journal of Potato Research. 91(1):32-74. Interpretive Summary: Technical Abstract: Control of tuber dormancy is of interest for commercial potato production and for germplasm preservation in the genebank. We previously reported (AJPR 87:226-228) that tubers of greenhouse-grown Solanum jamesii from 1999 sprouted after 8+ years of storage in a continuous 40F (5C) cooler. One population from northern New Mexico, PI 605370 had tuber sprouting of over 90%. Here we report the extension and replication of that experiment. Storage of the PI 605370 tubers continued. By late 2012, only 8 of approximately 500 tubers were not shriveled and dried. Those were planted in potting mix in the greenhouse in early 2013. A second trial had been started with tubers harvested in early 2007 of other S. jamesii populations originating in Utah and Arizona: PI 641029, 641941, 641944. These were also planted in the greenhouse in early 2013. From a total of 100 firm tubers from 2007, an average of 39% sprouted and produced normal plants. This repeated observation of long (6-year) dormancy in an independent experiment using different S. jamesii populations confirms very long dormancy potential in this species. Of the 8 firm tubers remaining from the most long-lived tubers from the 1999 harvest, three had sprouted after seven weeks. We interpret this observation of 14 years of dormancy as representing the virtual limit for S. jamesii tubers in the storage conditions applied. Extreme tuber dormancy in S. jamesii could be a valuable research tool for study of dormancy physiology in potato. |
