Agriculture, Fisheries and Aquaculture - The Effect of Gypsum Levels on Tuber Yield, Periderm Maturation and Subsequent Sprouting of Stored Tubers, C.V. Russet Burbank

Abstract: Calcium's pronounced effect on sprout growth from tubers suggest that it may play an important role in seed performance. A preliminary examination of gypsum levels indicated that there was no significant effect on total tuber yield in Russet Burbank although there was a slight shift in tuber size distribution. No significant effects were observed in stem emergence, stem number or skin set during harvest. An analysis of leaf and tuber tissues demonstrated a significant increase in foliar sulfur content on gypsum treated plots. There was a significant delay in tuber sprouting at 10C that was not apparent at 20C. Future work will examine this effect as well as field performance of seed produced on high gypsum soils.

¹Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada, Potato Research Centre, Fredericton, NB E3B 9H8
¹Land Resources Branch, NBDARD, Fredericton, NB E3B 5H1