Effect of Plant Density on Marketable Yield, Tuber Number, and Mean Weight of Three Tanier Cultivars

Abstract

Three tanier cultivars were planted at the Gurabo Substation in August 1971 to evaluate the effect of plant density on marketable yield, number of marketable tubers, and tuber mean weight of three tanier cultivars, namely, Blanca del País, Kelly and Morada. The plant density treatments used per acre were: combinations of 3 between rows by 2 feet between plants with 7,260 plants; 3 by 1 1/2 feet with 9,680 plants, 2 by 2 feet with 10,980 plants; and 2 by 1 1/2 feet with 14,520 plants. The results showed that plant spacing X cultivar interaction was not significant. In other words, the cultivars responded similarly to the different planting treatments. The combined space planting of 2 by 1 1/2 feet with 14,520 plants per acre significantly outyielded the other spacing treatments. A significantly higher number of marketable tubers was also recorded in this treatment. None of the planting treatments had a significant effect on tuber mean weight. Aside from the plant spacing treatments, the cultivars Morada and Blanca del País significantly outyielded the Kelly cultivar. Blanca del País produced significantly more marketable tubers than the other cultivars, but Morada produced significantly heavier tubers.