Dormancy and sprout growth.
Storage life:
The storage life is the length of period that potatoes can be stored and still be suitable for use as either consumption or seed.
STORAGE LIFE
Physiological stages:
During its life the tuber undergoes various physiological stages: dormancy (A), apical dominance (B), normal
sprouting (C 1 and C 2), senility ( D ).
Physiological age seed (photo)
Potatoes are only suitable to be used as seed during certain physiological stages. In general terms seed is suitable for planting between 3 - 8 month after harvest, depending on variety and storage temperature. Seed has the best growth vigour when it is in the earlier phase of the" Normal sprouting stage" C1. The duration of physiological phases is estimated.
Seed age:
The physiological stage is also expressed as "seed age". The seed may be physiologically "young" or "old". While discussing seed age it is important to realize that not the chronological age, but the physiological age is meant. There is a marked difference in the seed physiology between varieties. For the storage of table potatoes a long dormancy is preferable.
Suitable for planting:
For rapid crop establishment, seed potatoes are required which develop vigorous sprouts before or soon after planting. Seed age to a great extend affects the growth of the plant grown from the seed.
PHYSIOLOGICAL AGE AND PLANT GROWTH====SOLUTIONS FOR DORMANCY