Germination of Diploid True Potato Seeds is Affected by Seed Treatment Methods and Time After Extraction but not Seed Extraction Methods

Abstract

The use of true potato seed (TPS) is fundamental to potato breeding and research, but can be hindered by poor germination and seed dormancy. TPS germination studies had focused mainly on seed treatment methods after seed extraction and not in combination with the seed extraction methods used. In potato, TPS extraction using water, using yeast fermentation or using sodium bicarbonate are common, but TPS extraction using dilute aqueous hydrochloric acid (HCl) followed by bleach treatment (3% sodium hypochlorite) had never been tested in potato even though this is standard practice for tomato seeds. Therefore, three seed extraction methods (water, 0.1 M HCl, and 0.8% yeast fermentation) in combination with three seed treatment methods (water, 1500 ppm GA₃, and 3% sodium hypochlorite) were tested on diploid TPS at 1 week and 1 month after seed extraction. TPS treated with GA₃ improved germination for both 1 week- and 1 month-old seeds, while TPS treated with 3% sodium hypochlorite only improved germination for 1 month-old seeds. This study shows that TPS extraction using water, yeast or HCl had no effect on germination, but supports the use of GA₃ or bleach to promote TPS germination.