Summary
Both total yield and, to a somewhat lesser degree, yield of U. S. No. 1 tubers were increased by increasing the quantity of seed potatoes planted per acre—through closer spacing and/or larger seed pieces. The rate of yield increase declined with each increment of seed potatoes. Planting more than approximately 16 sacks of seed potatoes per acre did not increase the yield sufficiently to justify the greater expense.
Large seed pieces spaced at 71/2-inch intervals produced the highest proportion of small tubers. Potato size was determined more by spacing than by seed piece size.
The yield of “rough” tubers (misshapen, growth-cracked, and second-growth tubers) was slightly and inconsistently affected by size or spacing of seed pieces.
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The authors wish to thank the director and personnel of the U. S. Cotton Field Station, Shafter, Cal., for their excellent cooperation in grownig the crops discussed in this article.
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Bishop, J.C., Wright, D.N. The effect of size and spacing of seed pieces on the yield and grade of white rose potatoes in Kern County, California. American Potato Journal 36, 235–240 (1959). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02851564
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02851564