| Effect of Storage Environments on Seed Productivity
Gale E. Kleinkopf, Tina L. Brandt, MaryJo
Frazier, Jim Whitmore and Steven Peebles
Nine seed storage facilities were chosen to
evaluate the effect of the seed storage environments on the productivity
of the seed that is stored in the structure. The storages ranged from A-frame,
straw insulated, non aerated and non humidified to a very modern metal structure
with computer controlled environmental conditions. These structures represent
the range of storages that supply commercial seed to the growers. Two samples
from each storage were taken immediately after harvest. One sample was left
in the seed growers storage and the other was taken to the Kimberly facility
and stored at 38 F and 95% relative humidity for the remainder of the season.
In mid April the seed sample from each storage was collected and along with
the Kimberly samples were planted in a complete randomized block at the Kimberly
Research and Extension Center. This experiment was run for 3 years, during
1993-96. Temperature and relative humidity conditions of each storage structure
were monitored throughout the season. Emergence and stem numbers per hill
were recorded for each lot. At harvest, yield and size distribution of the
tubers were collected. Yield comparisons between seed lots stored in the
seed storage structure and the Kimberly facility were generally not significantly
different in any of the three years. No effect of these storage environments
could be detected in the yield or size distribution of the commercial crop.
Differences in yield observed by commercial growers are due to factors other
than the storage environment. Previous work has shown that the majority
of the yield differences observed between seed lots is due to seed piece
size at planting and to bruising during improper handling of the seed lot
between the seed storage and the time the seed is planted.
THE EFFECT OF FOUR SEED HANDLING TECHNIQUES
ON SEED PIECE PERFORMANCE AND YIELD.
Brandt, Tina L.* and Gale E. Kleinkopf, University
of Idaho Research and Extension Center, 3793 North 3600 East, Kimberly,
ID 83341.
An experimental seed handling technique, a Fall precut,
was compared to the commercial seed types; single drop, Spring precut and
non-suberized (fresh cut). The Fall precut treatment consisted of cutting
seed in the Fall, suberizing it for two weeks, and then storing it according
to standard seed storage practices for the winter. The four seed handling
techniques were evaluated for their effect on emergence, number of stems
per hill, seed piece decay, rhizoctonia, final yield and grade. All treatments
resulted in full stands, but the Fall precut treatment delayed emergence
a few days. Fall precut had fewer stems per hill than the other three treatments.
Percent decay of the seed piece was highest in the Spring precut treatment.
The percent of stems with rhizoctonia was highest in the Fall precut seed.
Total yield was lowest in the Spring precut seed. Fall precut had the highest
number of large number ones and lowest number of culls. Fall precutting
seed compared favorably with current seed handling techniques and may be
a viable option for commercial growers. Further research needs to be done
before any such recommendation should be made.
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