Growth of potatoes (Solanum tuberosum L.) to the small tuber stage as related to soil temperature

Abstract

In experiments in a phytotron with potato cv. Sebago and in the field with cvv. Sebago and Sequoia the times for planting to emergence, new tuber initiation and small tuber stage were measured in relation to temperature. Emergence was linearly related to mean temperature and relatively independent of diurnal or periodic fluctuations up to an optimum of 22–24°C, and up to this optimum could be considered as a degree-day requirement calculated from either soil temperature at tuber depth or air temperature. For both cultivars planted with just-visible sprouts this was about 450 degree-days reckoned above a +2° minimum. At temperatures above the optimum, emergence was actively inhibited, and the relationship no longer held when appreciable periods were spent above about 24°. Once emergence had occurred, new tuber initiation and growth to the small tuber stage tended to be promoted at low temperatures especially in cv. Sequoia; phytotron treatments where night temperature was higher than day had a particularly adverse effect. It appeared that field development was adversely affected if a rapid increase in soil temperature occurred during the period of emergence.