Studies of the measurement and interpretation of potato sprout growth

Abstract

SummaryTotal sprout length and the length of the longest sprout were shown to be the most universally useful measurements to estimate sprout development in batches of potato tubers. A good estimate of sprout weight was also derived from measurements of total sprout length. There was a good linear relationship between total sprout length and initial tuber weight but the relationship varied considerably with the time of measurement and the temperature of storage.It is suggested that if sprout measurements are to be used to predict the field performance of a batch of tubers the changing pattern of sprout vigour with time needs to be more closely understood.