The effect of inflorescence removing and seed tuber size on leaf area index and tuber yield of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.)

In order to investigate the effect of removing inflorescence and seed tuber size on yield and yield components of potato, the experiment was conducted using a factorial method based on randomized complete block design with three replications in a farm located in evoghlu region of Khoy city, during spring of 2014. The first factor was removal of inflorescence at two levels including removal and non-removal of inflorescence and the second factor was the seed tuber size at six levels including 25-35 g, 35-45 g, 45-55 g, 55-65 g, 65-75 g, and 75-85 g. The results indicated that the effect of removing inflorescence and seed tuber size was significant on tuber size, weight of tuber in plant, the number of branches and leaves in plant, leaf area index and tuber yield. So that the highest leaf area index (5.48) obtained from the treatment of inflorescence removing and tuber yield also in the treatment of inflorescence removing increased by 2.68 tons per hectare (%15). In regard with seed tuber size, the highest rates of tuber yield were 22.64 and 21.89 tons per hectare which were respectively obtained for seed tuber sizes of 65-75 g and 75-85 g. There was no significant difference between these two sizes of seed tuber in regard with tuber yield. Therefore, inflorescence removing is effective in yield increasing due to elimination of un useful sink, also seed tuber size of 65-75 g is recommended in order to save seed consumption and reduce costs.