Effect of Chemical Treatments for Breaking Dormancy and Enhancing Sprouting in Freshly Harvested Potato Tubers in Nepal

Abstract

This study aims to improve low potato production in Dolakha, Nepal, by identifying effective chemical treatments to break dormancy in freshly harvested tubers. The experiment was performed in Complete Randomized Design (CRD) with three replications. Eight treatments were used: gibberellic acid (GA3) at 50 ppm and 100 ppm, benzyl amino purine (BAP) at 50 ppm and 100 ppm, sugar solutions (0.5% ethanol + 1% sugar, 0.5% ethanol + 10% sugar, and 50% sugar) and distilled water. Medium-sized Ms-42.3 tubers were soaked in these treatments for two hours before being stored in a dark room. The results demonstrated that GA3 at 100 ppm was the most effective, reducing the days to first sprout emergence to 1.8 days and breaking dormancy in 2.63 days. This treatment also resulted in the longest sprouts, measuring up to 17.70 mm at 50 days. GA3 at 50 ppm similarly improved sprout emergence and length. BAP treatments (50 ppm and 100 ppm) and 50% sugar solution also significantly shortened the time to sprout emergence and dormancy breaking compared to the control. Specifically, BAP at 100 ppm reduced the time to first sprout emergence to 3.63 days and was effective in promoting sprout density and length. Sugar solutions, particularly 50% sugar, showed promise in early sprout emergence and growth. In contrast, the control treatment (distilled water) yielded the lowest sprout density, with a maximum of 15.20 days to first emergence and sprouts measuring up to 4.53 mm at 50 days. This study provides valuable insights into effective sprouting techniques, potentially boosting agricultural productivity in similar regions.