Enhancing potato seedlings tubers production by foliar application of potassium and boron

Abstract

This study was conducted at the Kafr El- Zayat Research Station in the Governorate of Gharbia during the two successive seasons of 2009 and 2010 to evaluate the effect of foliar application of potassium (K) at 2% KCl (w/v), boron (B) at 0.2% H3BO3 (w/v) and its interaction on potato seedling tubers production from true potato seeds (TPS). The treatments were applied at 40, 60 and 80 days after sowing (DAS) in both seasons. Three samples were taken at 50, 70 and 90 DAS in addition to the yield and its components at 128 (DAS). In general K application or combined with B greatly enhanced most of plant growth parameters (Plant height, leaves number, shoots fresh and dry weight).Whereas, the effect of B individually was mostly insignificant in this regard. The same trend was observed in the leaves concentration of N, K, total carbohydrates and free amino acids (FAA). Total chlorophylls were only increased by the interaction of K+B and total phenolic compounds by individual K treatment. Adversely, B had significantly decreased most investigated chemical parameters. Regarding, tubers yield; there was significantly increases in all treatments comparing with control plants. K+B treatment increased seedling tubers yield by (53.11%, 46.03 %) followed by individual treatment of K (29.85%, 20.03%) and B (15.20%, 9.93%) over the control plants in both seasons respectively. Concerning the grading number of tubers; K+B treatment achieved the highest values of the tubers less than 5 g, and tubers bigger than 40 g comparing with control or other treatments. Sprouting ratio and amylase activities, specific gravity and dry matter ratio were also investigated