International Journal of Horticulture, 2025, Vol.15, No.1, 1-7 http://hortherbpublisher.com/index.php/ijh 6 Table 4 Basic information of 5 tested potato varieties Variety name Variety source Variety characteristics Zheshu956 New varieties of ZAAS, No.:GPD Potato(2019)330032 Large tuber, yellow skin and yellow meat Zheshu927 New strains of ZAAS Medium tuber,pink skin and pink flesh Zheshu974 New strains of ZAAS Small and round tuber,yellow skin and flesh Zheshu926 New strains of ZAAS Medium tuber,yellow skin and yellow flesh Mira from Germany,virus-free seed potatoes by ZAAS Long and round tuber, yellow skin and yellow flesh 4.3 Experimental design and management This experiment adopted a randomized block design, with each variety assigned to an independent plot arranged randomly. Border rows were set up around the plots to minimize edge effects. Each plot covered an area of 8.75 m2 (3.5 m × 2.5 m), and no replications were conducted to ensure uniform planting conditions and improve comparability. The experiment commenced on January 17, 2024, using two seed tuber treatments: large tuber cutting (cut according to the bud eye, approximately 30 g per piece, each with 1-2 bud eyes) and small whole tubers (individual weight 20-50 g). Sowing was carried out by furrow planting or hole planting, with row spacing of 60 cm and plant spacing of 35 cm. Each planting hole received one seed tuber, placed with the bud eye facing upward and covered with 5 cm of fine soil. The planting density was approximately 3 200 plants per mu (≈48 000 plants/ha). Field management followed standard potato cultivation practices. Organic fertilizer combined with compound fertilizer was applied as a base fertilizer to improve soil fertility and promote early growth. During the growing season, additional nitrogen fertilizer was applied according to plant growth conditions to support tuber enlargement (Ayyub et al., 2019; Shilev et al., 2022). Irrigation was adjusted based on soil moisture levels to maintain optimal field conditions, preventing both drought stress and excessive moisture, which could negatively affect tuber development. An integrated pest management strategy was implemented to control diseases and pests. Potato virus diseases are primarily transmitted by aphids (Myzus persicae) and, particularly, Potato Apical Leaf Curl Virus (PALCV). The whitefly (Bemisia tabaci), a major vector of PALCV, was targeted using a control strategy combining seed tuber soaking, insect regulation, and mineral oil spraying, which has been shown to reduce aphid populations by 74.5% and lower virus infection rates by 93% (Kamlesh et al., 2020). 4.4 Data collection The potatoes were harvested on April 24, 2024, with a total growth cycle of 128 days. After harvest, systematic measurements were conducted on each variety’s growth performance, yield, and tuber characteristics. Growth parameters included plant height, number of branches, leaf color, and disease resistance to assess overall plant performance. Tuber trait assessments included total yield per plot, converted to yield per hectare, to quantify the production potential of each variety. Additional recorded parameters included tuber size, shape, skin color, and eye depth, providing insights into market acceptability. Furthermore, uniform-sized tubers were selected for steaming tests, where sensory evaluation was conducted to assess powdery texture, aroma, and palatability, offering a basis for determining culinary quality and potential market suitability. Acknowledgments The authors are deeply grateful to Professor R. Cai for his thorough reviews of this manuscript and his insightful revision suggestions. Conflict of Interest Disclosure The authors affirm that this research was conducted without any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.
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