INFLUENCE OF SEED PLACEMENT ON RUSSET BURBANK POTATO YIELD AND GRADE

Potato seed pieces were hand planted with different spacings in the row and percentages of doubles to determine the effects on total yield and tuber size distribution. The objective was to determine acceptable performance levels for commercial potato planters. Average tuber size increased as the percentage of double seed pieces decreased or as the in-row spacing between single seed pieces increased. Yield of tubers smaller than 113 g was the most sensitive parameter and they increased as in-row spacing decreased and as the percentage of double seed pieces increased. Yield of tubers larger than 283 g increased as in-row spacing increased but only for the first year. Total yield was not affected by the change of in-row spacing or the percentage of doubles.