Effects of Gibberellic Acid (GA,) on Sprouting and Quality of Potato Seed Tubers in Diffused Light and Pit Storage Conditions

Abstract

Abstract: Effects of gibberellic acid (GA,) on dormancy termination, sprouting and quality of potato (Solanum tuberosum) seed tubers stored for 12 weeks in Diffused Light Store (DLS) and for 2 weeks in pi: were determined Potato genotypes (Tigoni, Asante, Dutch Robyjn, Kenya Karibu and Kenya Sifa) and GA, 0, I0, 20 and 30 mg kg were used. Dormancy period was reduced to three weeks in all genotypes except Kenya Sifa, which sprouted after seven weeks following GA, treatments in DLS. Increasing GAj concentration increased sprouting (%), number of sprouts per tuber, sprout length and vigor score.However differences among GAl concentrations for these parameters were not observed. In the pit, the potato seed tubers sprouted within the two weeks of storage. Except for Kenya Sifa, GA, bud no effect on sprouting and vigor score: however it increased number of sprouts per tuber and sprout length. Increase in GA. concentration led to increase in rotting ,30mg kg 41 nfGA, for Tigoni, Kenya Sifa and Kenya Karibu genotypes, under OLS. It is suggested that lower levels of (ji\ I oj' up to 20 mg kg -I should be adopted for promotion 1)1' sprouting of potato seed tubers.