Mass Propagation of Plug Seedling using Stem Cutting and Their Tuber Yield in Potato

For the mass production of plug seedlings in cultivar ‘Dejima’ potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) the optimal apical cutting diameter for rooting and rapid multiplication of stem cuttings in hydroponics were determined. In addition, the best planting date was predicted to increase tuber yield of plug seedlings at fall cropping in Cheju-Do, Korea. Days to initial rooting decreased as the cutting diameter was reduced. Plant height, leaf number, root length and root weight per plant were favorable as the cutting diameter was small. The ideal cutting diameter was 1-2 mm in this experiment. In the hydroponic cultures, the Japanese standard (JS) nutrient solution was the most effective for multiplication of stem cuttings. It was able to propagate more than 20 times a month from a single mother plant. Viability of plants, which were derived from plug seedlings using stem cuttings, was excellent when transplanted to the field. The number of tubers and tuber yield in both of the plug seedlings and seed potato planting plots were high when planted on 25 August. The number and yield were reduced when planted on 15 August, 5 September and 15 September. The degree of decrease of tuber yield in the plug seedling planting plot however, was lower than that of seed potatoes when the planting date was late. In the case of small tubers (under 30 g), the number of tubers and tuber yield were evidently increased in the seed potato tuber planting plot; the yield of large tuber (over 80g) in the plug seedling planting plot was higher than that of the seed potato. The total tuber yield per plant in the plug seedling planting plot was less than that of the seed potato; therefore, in order to increase tuber yield it was necessary to increase field plant density.