On the assessment of physiological age of seed potatoes and the subsequent crop performance

The physiological age of seed tubers is crucial for their growth vigour and subsequent crop development and yield. Through complex processes and interacting factors, physiological age influences both above-ground leaf and canopy development and below-ground stolon and tuber growth, reflecting the vitality of seed tubers. As a trait of high complexity, physiological age is influenced by genotype, seed tuber growth history, chronological age, and conditions and treatments during and after storage, and their interactions. To study the development of physiological age of the seed and its impact on subsequent crop performance, in this research we use cultivars of contrasting maturity types and different rates of physiological ageing of seed tubers and store them at different temperatures. Sprouting behaviours of seed tubers will be examined. Plant metabolomics will be used to analyse changes in the metabolite profiles of cultivars in response to storage temperatures, and to look for potential biochemical indicators of physiological age. Data collected will be applied in modelling the development of physiological age during storage accounting for Genotype x Environment interaction. Seed tubers will be planted at multiple experimental field sites. Data collected from field measurements will be combined with sprouting and metabolic data to model the impact of physiological age on crop performance. Models developed during this project will be evaluated and applied in improved decision support systems for crop management and to reduce the yield gap in potato production.