| dc.description.abstract | Potato production is conducted either by transplanting seedlings raised in nursery beds from true potato seed (TPS) or planting seedling tubers produced in the previous season. The farmers may opt for either of the methods that is suitable for their area. TPS is the botanical seed produced by the potato plant. The seeds are formed in berries similar to those of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum). When produced under well managed conditions, TPS offers the farmer the opportunity to start with disease free planting material. This is particularly important for regions having high viral infestation. Propagation with TPS is a cost-effective and could be used by the growers for generating healthy planting material in desired quantities. The objective of this study was to develop a protocol for the production of compact and healthy potato seedlings that can withstand the tropical climate of Uganda using true potato seed (TPS). In this study TPS seeds (cultivar – Oliver F1) were subjected to four treatments i.e. light intensity (30%, 50%, and 100%), growing media (Cocopeat, Peatmoss, and Soil), irrigation water volume (250 ml, 500 ml, 750 ml, and 1000 ml), and tray cell size (Large and Small). Data was collected at 15, 22, 29, 36, and 43 days after sowing on parameters of leaf number, leaf width, leaf length, leaf area, leaf shape, stem length, internode number, and average internode length. This was analyzed using R and R studio software and the main results showed that the total leaf number of the seedlings increased with increase in light intensity, foliage cover (leaf width, leaf length, and leaf area) was high in seedlings sowed in Peatmoss under full light (100%). The study found out that tray cell size had no effect on the general growth and development of the TPS seedlings. Leaf number, leaf area, leaf length and leaf width (foliage cover) indicates the size of the photosynthetic system and is therefore an indication of intercepted light radiation that has a close relationship on root development, stem thickness and length, and more importantly tuber yield. Light intensity 100 % (100L), growing media Peat moss (PM), and water volume 750 ml were the treatments that presented the highest mean results for every parameter studied thus can be used in the improvement of TPS seedlings production to cope up with the outfield environmental conditions of Uganda and there are many possibilities for improving the sowing value of TPS thus more research can be carried out to determine the appropriate tray cell size that is required to raise strong seedlings. Research at House of Seeds aimed at developing a practical botanical seed test that will reflect the potential for field performance of TPS | en_US |
