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ARS Home » Midwest Area » Madison, Wisconsin » Vegetable Crops Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #382737
Research Project: Maximizing the Impact of Potato Genebank Resources: Development and Evaluation of a Wild Species Genotype Diversity Panel

Location: Vegetable Crops Research

Title: The effect of mother plant fertilization and stratification on the germination of true potato seed

Author
item NASHIKI, AKITO - OBIHIRO UNIVERSITY OF AGRICULTURE AND VETERINARY MEDICINE
item JANSKY, SHELLEY
item Bethke, Paul

Submitted to: American Journal of Potato Research
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/14/2021
Publication Date: 5/6/2021
Citation: Nashiki, A., Jansky, S.H., Bethke, P.C. 2021. The effect of mother plant fertilization and stratification on the germination of true potato seed. American Journal of Potato Research. 98, p. 194-201. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12230-021-09830-7.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12230-021-09830-7

Interpretive Summary: Optimized methods for producing and using true potato seed (TPS) are advantageous for inbred-hybrid potato breeding and diploid potato production. This study determined the effects of mother plant nutrition on TPS weight and germination. Additionally, it examined the effects of gibberellic acid and a cool, wet pretreatment (stratification) on TPS germination kinetics. Seeds were produced by three interspecific hybrids between diploid relatives of cultivated potato and diploid lines derived from cultivated potato. Effects of stratification on seed dormancy and germination rate varied with the parental hybrid. With one exception, seeds treated with gibberellic acid reached 50% germination as fast or faster than stratified seeds and untreated seeds. Mother plant nutrition was varied by fertilizing with two nutrient solutions that differed in composition. Effects of fertilizer type on TPS germination were modest, and average seed weight did not differ between fertilizer types. These findings indicate that those working with TPS may benefit from using gibberellic acid to promote robust TPS germination.

Technical Abstract: Methods for diploid true potato seed (TPS) production and handing are crucial for inbred-hybrid potato breeding. This study determined the effects of mother plant nutrition on average TPS weight and germination kinetics as modeled by Gompertz curves. Additionally, it characterized germination of stratified TPS and TPS imbibed in water or gibberellic acid (GA3). Seeds were produced by three interspecific hybrids between diploid relatives of cultivated potato and diploid lines derived from cultivated potato. Effects of stratification on seed dormancy and germination rate were genotype-dependent. With one exception, GA3-treated seeds reached 50% germination as fast or faster than stratified seeds and seeds imbibed in water. Mother plant nutrition was varied by fertilizing with two nutrient solutions that differed in composition. Effects of fertilizer type on germination were modest, and 100-seed weight did not differ between fertilizer types. These findings support previous research showing that GA3 treatment effectively promotes robust TPS germination.