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Effects of cutting seed tubers on number of stems and tubers and tuber yields of several potato varieties

SUMMARY Six experiments are reported which examined the effects of various seed cutting treatments on numbers of tubers and tuber yields of several maincrop potato varieties. Using conventional potato ridges, the cutting of seed tubers into 12 mm cubes or the use of potato peel reduced early growth and yields compared with whole tubers in some experiments but in two others had little effect on tuber yields. In Majestic, seed cutting produced large increases in number of stems and tubers and increases in yields of small sized tubers. In Pentland Crown and King Edward, the effects of seed cutting were small. In King Edward no differences in growth and yield were found between individual eyes and in this variety and Pentland Crown, 56g whole tubers produced similar yields to halves of 112 g seed tubers planted at the same seed rate. The implications of cutting for use in commercial production are discussed.