b'Andys Advice:Determine the RightAmount Of Potato Seed for PlantingBy Andy Robinson, Extension Potato Agronomist, NDSU/UMNhiscircumstances.Choosingto the NDSU/UMN Potato Extensionmove forward and plant the next websitez.umn.edu/seed anduti-crop is shaping the circumstances lized in a manner suitable for yourfor the next harvest.operation. One of the most important factors Calculatingseedpotatoquantitythatwillinfluencetheharvest for planting varies by row spacing,startswithseed.Purchasinghigh within-row spacing and seed size.quality seed, handling it correctly, Average row spacing of potato pro-protectingitfrompests,and ductionis36inches.However,planting it at the right spacing will some potatoes are planted in 34-set you up for success. I could go and38-inchrowspacing.Row,onandonaboutseed,butthere within-rowspacingandaverageAs our days are getting longer and arebookchaptersandresearch tuberseedsizewillchangetheweatherchanging,thereisan articles written about these topics quantity of seed needed and plantexcitementtomoveforwardand andthatwouldtaketoolongto population(Table1and2).get the 2021 crop going. There are write.TodayIwanttofocuson Within-row spacing varies greatlymany factors that threaten a pota- determining the right amount of depending on the cultivar select-tocrop:excessiverain,drought, seedforplanting.Calculating ed, desired harvested tuber profilepests,snow,themarket,andthe potato seed can be tricky because and physiological seed age. listcangoonandon.Ihave seed tubers vary in size, row spac-always been impressed with pota- ing can vary, and within-row spac- Physiologicalseedageshouldto growers and their ability to face ingmaychangedependingon causeonetoadjustwithin-rowthefuturewithhopeandopti- variety. spacing.Asseedagesitwillgomism,evenafteradifficultyear. from dormant seed or no sprouts,James Allen said, A man cannot Here is a brief overview and some to young or singe sprouts on thedirectly choose his circumstances, tablesthatmaybehelpful.The apical end of the tuber, to middlebuthecanchoosehisthoughts, tables presented in this article can aged or multiple sprouting, to oldand so indirectly, yet surely, shape befoundanddownloadedfrom seed or hairy sprouts and finally toFigure 1. Physiological seed age from dormant to apical sprouting to multiple sprouting and little tuber. 10 POTATO GROWER MARCH 2021'