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ARS Home » Midwest Area » Madison, Wisconsin » Vegetable Crops Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #351700
Research Project: Maximizing the Impact of Potato Genebank Resources: Development and Evaluation of a Wild Species Genotype Diversity Panel

Location: Vegetable Crops Research

Title: Diploid True Potato Seed: Relationships among Seed Weight, Germination, and Seedling Vigor

Author
item ALPERS, RYAN - UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN
item JANSKY, SHELLEY

Submitted to: American Journal of Potato Research
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/1/2019
Publication Date: 4/23/2019
Citation: Alpers, R., Jansky, S.H. 2019. Diploid True Potato Seed: Relationships among Seed Weight,Germination, and Seedling Vigor. American Journal of Potato Research. (2019) 96:217–224. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12230-018-9675-8.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12230-018-9675-8

Interpretive Summary: New developments in potato breeding may lead to the production of commercial fields from true seed. In anticipation of this possibility, we are beginning to carry out studies related to seed germination. In this study, we looked at the relationships among seed weight, percent seed germination, and seedling vigor as measured by seedling leaf area. We found that larger seeds germinated at a higher rate and produced faster growing seedlings. Seedlings expanded in size most dramatically between 14 and 18 days after sowing. These data will serve as the foundation for additional studies relating seed properties to stand establishment in the field.

Technical Abstract: The use of true potato seed (TPS) offers many advantages over the tuber pieces used in current potato cropping systems. Hybrid TPS based on diploid inbred lines has the potential to revolutionize the potato industry. Before TPS can become prominent, seed productivity traits must be characterized. The present study aims to provide data on seed germination rates and seedling vigor of diploid potatoes. The germplasm for this study consisted of families from a cross between DM1-3 and M6 that have been inbred to varying degrees. Seedling leaf area and germination rate were evaluated on 51 populations across six dates. Positive Pearson correlations were found between seed weight, percent germination, and seedling leaf area. Significant levels of variation was found between lineages, generations, and lineage by generation interactions using ANOVA for leaf area and germination rate. Families that exhibited vigorous growth by 14-18 days post sowing continued to sustain high growth rates while families that did not exhibit vigorous growth at this time did not experience a drastic increase in growth rate. This timeframe will be an important stage in which to ensure a seedlings health in order to maximize its potential.