Journal
PLANT AND SOIL
Volume 432, Issue 1-2, Pages 45-63Publisher
SPRINGER
DOI: 10.1007/s11104-018-3776-5
Keywords
Phosphorus; Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.); Root morphology; Tuber yield
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Funding
- UK Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs [HH3504SPO, HH3507SFV]
- Rural and Environment Science and Analytical Services Division of the Scottish Government through its Strategic Research Programmes
- European Community [FP7-CP-IP 222645, 727247]
- International Office of the University of Nottingham
- Scottish Crop Research Institute
- BBSRC [BB/K017047/1, BB/K018795/1, BB/K018167/1, BB/L025825/1] Funding Source: UKRI
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Aims Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) has a large phosphorus (P)-fertiliser requirement. This is thought to be due to its inability to acquire P effectively from the soil. This work tested the hypothesis that early proliferation of its root system would enhance P acquisition, accelerate canopy development, and enable greater yields. Methods Six years of field experiments characterised the relationships between (1) leaf P concentration ([P](leaf)), tuber yield, and tuber P concentration ([P](tuber)) among 27 Tuberosum, 35 Phureja and 4 Diploid Hybrid genotypes and (2) juvenile root vigour, P acquisition and tuber yield among eight Tuberosum genotypes selected for contrasting responses to P-fertiliser. Results Substantial genetic variation was observed in tuber yield, [P](leaf) and [P](tuber). There was a strong positive relationship between tuber yields and P acquisition among genotypes, whether grown with or without P-fertiliser. Juvenile root vigour was correlated with accelerated canopy development and both greater P acquisition and tuber biomass accumulation early in the season. However, the latter relationships became weaker during the season. Conclusions Increased juvenile root vigour accelerated P acquisition and initial canopy cover and, thereby, increased tuber yields. Juvenile root vigour is a heritable trait and can be selected to improve P-fertiliser use efficiency of potato.
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