TITLE:
The Application of K Phosphites to Seed Tubers Enhanced Emergence, Early Growth and Mycorrhizal Colonization in Potato (Solanum tuberosum)
AUTHORS:
Cecilia Tambascio, Fernanda Covacevich, María Candela Lobato, Carolina de Lasa, Daniel Caldiz, Guillermo Dosio, Adriana Andreu
KEYWORDS:
Seed Tubers; Leaf Area; Dry Matter; Cultivar Kennebec; Cultivar Shepody
JOURNAL NAME:
American Journal of Plant Sciences,
Vol.5 No.1,
January
16,
2014
ABSTRACT: Rapid emergence and a vigorous growth prevent the
seed tubers from infections by soil microbes and allow a rapid interception of solar
radiation. In this work, the effect of
the potassium phosphites (KPhi) applied to seed tubers of two potato cultivars
on crop emergence and early
growth was studied. Two experiments were performed under greenhouse and field conditions. Emergence of plants, leaf area,
dry matter and the number of primary stems were measured in both experiments.
Furthermore, mycorrhizal colonization was also measured on roots under field
conditions. The application of KPhi reduced the period between planting and
emergence, and increased leaf area and dry matter. The ratio between dry matter
of aerials and underground organs was not affected by KPhi. Indigenous
mycorrhizal colonization increased after KPhi application to seed tubers. These
results confirm the benefit of the application of KPhi to seed tubers on early plant growth and suggest that their application in crop
production would be advantageous.