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Partitioning of Photoassimilates by Four Potato Clones¹

The partitioning of photoassimilates was compared for four field-grown potato clones. Russet Burbank was used as a standard for comparison, and the other three clones were selected because they generally produce higher yields and have higher photosynthetic rates than Russet Burbank. In this study we examined whether the patterns of assimilate partitioning change with the stage of plant development and with the time after labelling and also whether these partitioning patterns vary for different clones. The most recently-expanded leaf on each plant was labelled with ¹⁴CO₂ at three different growth stages: the beginning of tuberization, 3 and 5-weeks later; and representative plants from each treatment were harvested at three time intervals: 2 h after labelling, 7 days after labelling, and the end of the growing season. The total quantity of ¹⁴C-1abel exported from the exposed leaf increased beth with age of the plant and with time after labelling. The exported assimilates were partitioned in varying quantities to all plant organs, including trace amounts to the mother tubers (seed pieces). Some of the assimilates produced after tuber set and originally partitioned to other organs may have been remobilized to the tubers near the end of the season. At later growth stages, some clones delivered assimilates to the tubers more rapidly than others. The potential exists for plant breeders to combine late season maintenance of photosynthesis with rapid and/or greater delivery of assimilates to the tubers as an approach for increasing tuber yield.

Key Words: Assimilate remobilization • Partitioning • ¹⁴C label

² Formerly visiting research scientist, Univ. of Idaho, Res. and Ext. Ctr., Aberdeen (now researcher, Crop Physiology, Plant Breeding Inst., Biophysics and Physiology Dep., Radzikow, P.O. Box 1019, 00-950 Warsaw, Poland); associate research professor, Univ. of Idaho, Res. and Ext. Ctr., Aberdeen; research genetist, USDA-ARS, Res. and Ext. Ctr., Aberdeen; and technical aide 3, Univ. of Idaho, Res. and Ext. Ctr., Aberdeen, ID 83210.

Received for publication November 21, 1983.