Influence of pre-emergence herbicides on the growth of some potato varieties

In our experiments the effect of three pre-emergence herbicides was examined on potato varieties and a candidate. Changes in growth parameters and biomass production due to the different herbicides were examined. The experiments were carried out under greenhouse conditions in pots with five Hungarian potato varieties as follows White Lady, Hopehely, Szazszorszep, Goliat, Kankan and as candidate Lilla. The following herbicides were applied: PATORAN 50 WP (metobromuron), SENCOR 70 WG (metribuzin) and COMMAND 48 EC (chlomazon). Potato plants were grown until ripening. During the plant life cycle the shoot length was measured and after ripening the following parameters were examined: number of leaves, shoot length, fresh and dry shoot weight, tuber weight. The results indicate that the variety Goliat showed the slowest growth. The least tuber weight appeared with the varieties Kankan and Szazszorszep. Due to the application of SENCOR 70 WG, the number of leaves and the shoot length decreased in all varieties compared to untreated control plants. In case of Lilla fresh and dry shoot weight was decreased by the application of PATORAN 50 WP and SENCOR 70 WG. Tuber weight showed a decrease with the application of SENCOR 70 WG in all varieties.