Experiments on cutting potato tubers

Abstract

1. Field experiments on the use of cut ware setts with the potato varieties Arran Banner, King Edward and Majestic have shown that with proper handling no loss in plant establishment need result. When the cut setts are planted at the same distances as whole setts, there is liable to be a reduction in the yield per acre because of the lower yield per plant, but the actual rate of increase may be increased considerably by cutting because of the larger number of plants obtainable.2. No benefit has been found from the practice of dusting the cut surfaces of tubers of Majestic with slag, lime or ashes, while adverse effects resulted from the use of a fungicide and alum.3. The exposure of cut setts to drying conditions lowers their resistance to attacks by micro-organisms, and encourages the breakdown of the tuber flesh by bacteria of the carotovorum group.4. In general, the use of certain fungicides, either directly on the cut surface, or as a means of moistening sack coverings, is not to be recommended because of the adverse effects of the fungicide on the natural resistance of the live tissue of the tuber flesh.