Morpho-Physiological Determinants of Potato Yield Formation under Conditions of Moisture Deficiency and High Temperatures
In: Известия Российской академии наук. Серия биологическая, Heft 3, S. 321-331
Morphological and physiological parameters of leaves and tubers of 22 varieties of potato (Solanum tuberosum) were investigated. Discriminant analysis found that stomata size (12%), chlorophyll content (10%), number of tubers (29%), and average tuber weight (21%) determined the gradation of plants by yield. The specific surface density of leaves (38%), the content of chlorophyll (13%) and carotenoids (13%), and leaf area (12%) made the greatest contribution to discrimination in relation to ecological plasticity. It is concluded that the number of stomata per unit area of the leaf, the specific surface density of the leaf and the content of photosynthetic pigments are the key characteristics that contribute to both high yield and adaptive capacity of potatoes.