seed sprouting

Seed sprouting stages
Sprouting methods

Seed tubers after the end of dormancy taken from the cold store (2-4 oC) and taken to higher ambient temperature start sprouting in about 1-2 weeks (Mini-sprouting of seed). When kept in dark conditions and in piles (bulk or bags) for longer time the sprouts will be long, weak and slender. By separating the bags to allow ventilation sprout growth is slower and sprouts are less weak.
When pre-sprouted seed is required the seed is taken from the cold store 6-8 weeks from the store, if necessary the apical sprouts are removed and the seed is placed in thin layers in trays allowing the light to reach the spouts. The seed develops in this way firm and strong sprouts.
Removel apical sprouts/green sproutng==Sprouting in bags ==Sprouting in trays==Pregerm sprouting method

Characteristics of sprouted seed

non sprouted seed non-dormant tubers - the eyes are 'closed':
emergence is slow and growing sprouts are easily attacked by micro- organisms.
mini sprouted seed - tubers start sprouting with small sprouts
(the eyes 'open' and greenish-yellow coloured buds are visible):
emergence is faster.
pre-sprouted seed - under light conditions, tubers produce strong sprouts of 1-2 cm:
pre-sprouted seed germinates quickly, roots develop early and the stems are vigorous.
Characteristics sprouted seed------Sprouting stages

Pre-sprouting leads to:

an early crop, early emergence and early tuber initiation. A 10 days earlier emergence and tuber initiation can be expected.
regular emergence and regular crop (= less subject to Rhizoctonia attack)
a relatively high yield when the available growing season is short.
early suppression of weeds by early canopy closure.
an earlier crop that may escape virus or Late Blight infection.
Sprouting and emergence

Example pre-sprouted crop:

A crop from pre-sprouted seed can be considered as a short cycle crop and a crop from mini-sprouted seed as a long-cycle crop. A crop from pre-sprouted seed is earlier, while the crop from mini-sprouted seed may mature later and continue to produce for longer.
Sprouting and crop cycle

Harvested until mid-July the 'pre-sprouted' crop in the given example, yields 4.5 tonnes of potatoes more than the 'mini-sprouted' crop. Then the 'pre-sprouted' crop matures, while the 'mini-sprouted' crop continues to produce. Finally the yield of the 'mini-sprouted' crop at late harvest is 3.5 tonnes higher.

PROFIT PRE-SPROUTING