Effects of climate on different potato genotypes 1. Radiation interception, total and tuber dry matter production

In 11 field trials in Rwanda, Tunisia and The Netherlands, the total dry matter production and tuber dry matter production of eight potato cultivars were analysed in terms of radiation interception and radiation use efficiency. The variation in length of the growing season was the most important factor explaining the differences in both total and tuber dry matter production among cultivars and sites. Radiation interception was the most important factor because the radiation-use efficiency was negatively correlated with radiation intensity and the variation in harvest index was of minor importance. Variation in length of the growing season among sites was related to daylength and temperature, in that shorter days at emergence and higher temperatures throughout the season resulted in a shorter growth cycle. The extent of these effects differed among cultivars, and it was concluded that climatic effects on tuber dry matter production could be attributed to the effects of temperature and daylength on the length of the growth cycle.