Clonal Selection Of Potato Tubers

I have never really thought about the methods of plant propagation. Beets, carrots, radishes, all kinds of herbs are grown by seeds, black and red currants - by cuttings or layering, tulips, lilies and other flower crops, as well as onions, garlic - by bulbs, etc. Well, they multiply (in different ways) and multiply, from time immemorial, well, okay. I didn't think until I noticed: the potato tubers that were used to sow the garden seemed to degenerate over the years, not to mention the fact that every year they were more and more infected with various diseases. This situation worried more and more, because there was less and less space for potatoes in the garden as the number of beds with other healthy vegetables increased. Either they mastered bell peppers in the beds, or different types of cabbage (white cabbage, kohlrabi, broccoli, etc.). And the garden (apple trees, raspberries, currants,gooseberry, sea buckthorn) managed to grow to a decent size. There was no thought to refuse to plant potatoes at all, they believed that it would be a loss of traditions and memory of our ancestors, whom we love and are convinced that they are our kind guardian angels. The conclusion suggested itself: less is better, but better, i.e. you need to be more careful about the planting material in order to get better quality potato tubers.in order to get better quality potato tubers.in order to get better quality potato tubers.

general information

So, in the plant world, thanks to a variety of ways to produce similar individuals of their own species, there is an endless change of generations of each species. It is clear that in the process of reproduction, unique combinations of genetic material can arise, entailing the appearance of hereditary changes in the body. Thus, the genetic diversity of individuals within the same species arises and the foundations of the variability and further evolution of a particular species are laid. Plants form seeds as a result of fertilization of the female body by the male through pollination of flowers. However, almost all representatives of the plant kingdom are characterized by asexual reproduction, called vegetative. It is carried out by vegetative organs: stems, roots, leaves, including by layering, cuttings and grafting,as well as modified roots and shoots: tubers, bulbs, whiskers. It should be noted right away that when propagating by seeds, a successful combination of traits of a particular plant can be violated (they claim that it is for sure violated), because the seeds are formed as a result of sexual reproduction, which is associated with gene recombination. Asexual reproduction allows for a faster increase in the number of individuals of this species (in favorable conditions). In addition, with this method of reproduction, all offspring have a genotype identical to the maternal one. It is believed that with asexual reproduction, there is practically no increase in genetic diversity, which could be very useful if it is necessary to adapt to changed living conditions. For this reason, given the wisdom of nature,the vast majority of living organisms periodically or constantly reproduce sexually.

So, it seems to us very useful to know that the set of new plants that have arisen vegetatively from one mother plant is called a clone (from the Greek. Clone - "offspring", "branch"). The formation of clones allows each plant to have homogeneous offspring, to repeat itself in its offspring without changing hereditary qualities. Cloning creates an opportunity to preserve the original properties of mother plants for a sufficiently long time.

Potato cloning

We have already noted the advantages of cloning. But there are disadvantages, including when propagating by tubers. Thus, various bacterial and fungal diseases, penetrating into the tuber of a plant (including potatoes), overcoming natural immunity, accumulate every year in increasing numbers and begin to be transmitted from one generation to another. Viral and nematode infections are also transmitted through potato tubers. As a result, the potato rapidly degenerates after several generations; as a result, its productivity is greatly reduced, and in winter the tubers are poorly stored and rot. For this reason, gardening experts advise preparing potatoes for planting especially carefully. Clonal selection of potatoes is considered ideal, i.e. selection of tubers from the most productive bushes during harvest. Usually,small and medium tubers (no more than a chicken egg) are taken from such bushes. They are able to give a full harvest and take up less storage space. If there are only large tubers in the bush, it is permissible to cut them into several slices. The tubers must be clean, free from disease, stains and damage, such as wireworm. Cracks and warty growths should also not be, because they can be signs of many diseases.

One more recommendation seems to be valuable: after digging the seeds should be "greened", then they are better stored. To get the tubers green, they are kept in the sun for two weeks, stirring occasionally. Usually during this time the tubers acquire a good green color and become completely unsuitable for food - both for humans and rodents. It is recommended to store tubers for planting in a cellar at a temperature of about + 4ºC. At higher temperatures, they can wilt, which will lead to a deterioration in their properties as planting clones. The last check of the planting tubers is done immediately before sowing. Tubers germinate in the light until sprouts 0.5-1 cm long are obtained. At this time, degenerated tubers are clearly visible with their threadlike sprouts. Such tubers must be thrown away mercilessly. Sometimes all tubers give thread-like sprouts,which means their degeneration due to the heat, which they got into in the summer when ripe. In this case, you need to look for another planting material, there will be no sense from tubers with threadlike sprouts.

Recommendations on the selection of seed potato tubers even during the period of their cultivation, when the most beautiful thick-stemmed bushes without signs of disease on the leaves, are very important. In the future, these bushes are checked especially: the number and size of tubers under them should confirm their strength. They should give twice or three times more potatoes than the rest of the bushes, and the tubers should be healthy in appearance, and storage will show the rest.

Conclusions:

Competent gardeners conduct primary selection using clonal selection of material. It is not difficult - select potatoes for seeds from the most productive healthy bushes, which have many tubers, even in size, clean, not damaged by diseases, without trifles, ugly tubers of a bizarre shape. Select tubers that are typical of the variety. And immediately fold them separately. This will be your gold fund, which can provide a 30-50 percent increase in yield. It is clonal selection that will allow not only to increase yields, but also to protect yourself from viral diseases of potatoes, which are also called diseases of degeneration. Bushes infected with viruses do not die and do not immediately lag behind in growth. But when digging, you will distinguish sick offspring - by the ugly shape of the tubers, similar to bizarre animals, and also - if the tubers are very different in size:several large and a lot of little things. Even if such large tubers are very beautiful, even, still do not put them off for future planting, although the temptation is great. Tubers from an infected bush will not produce healthy offspring, so act firmly: less is better! Simple rules for clonal selection not only prevent the yields of the purchased variety from decreasing, but can also increase the initial yields: after 2-3 years of selecting tubers from the best bushes, the yield usually rises by 30-50% by itself, although it is not difficult to double it. And then maintain at this level for many years, but not forgetting about the regular change of varieties. And one more thing: the current selection improves not only the yield by weight, but also the resistance to diseases.although the temptation is great. Tubers from an infected bush will not produce healthy offspring, so act firmly: less is more! Simple rules for clone selection not only prevent the yields of the purchased variety from decreasing, but can also increase the initial yields: after 2-3 years of selecting tubers from the best bushes, the yield usually rises by itself by 30-50%, although it is not difficult to double it. And then maintain at this level for many years, but not forgetting about the regular change of varieties. And one more thing: the current selection improves not only the yield by weight, but also the resistance to diseases.although the temptation is great. Tubers from an infected bush will not produce healthy offspring, so act firmly: less is better! Simple rules for clone selection not only prevent the yields of the purchased variety from decreasing, but can also increase the initial yields: after 2-3 years of selecting tubers from the best bushes, the yield usually rises by itself by 30-50%, although it is not difficult to double it. And then maintain at this level for many years, but not forgetting about the regular change of varieties. And one more thing: the current selection improves not only the yield by weight, but also the resistance to diseases.for 2-3 years of selection of tubers from the best bushes, the yield usually rises by itself by 30-50%, although it is not difficult to double it. And then maintain at this level for many years, but not forgetting about the regular change of varieties. And one more thing: the current selection improves not only the yield by weight, but also the resistance to diseases.for 2-3 years of selection of tubers from the best bushes, the yield usually rises by itself by 30-50%, although it is not difficult to double it. And then maintain at this level for many years, but not forgetting about the regular change of varieties. And one more thing: the current selection improves not only the yield by weight, but also the resistance to diseases.