Seed potato (Solanum tuberosum) storage methods and subsequent field production in New Caledonia

Abstract

Studies were conducted in New Caledonia to determine whether locally grown Solanum potatoes could be stored and used for seed. Tubers of six cultivars, three weeks after harvest, were placed either in cold storage or in simple diffused light storage for seven months. During storage, observations were made on loss of tubers, loss of weight and level of sprouting. Field trials with the stored seed were subsequently planted on three different dates and records made of tuber number plant-1, tuber weight and stem number plant-1. In general, best returns were made from seed given cold storage.