b'no top or little tuber (Figure 1). Ideally, most potato growers wantto plant middle aged seed becauseitwithhaverapidstemgrowth,butnottoomanyortoofewstems. The best way to determinephysiological seed age is to sproutseed pieces in a pot, paper bag, orothermethodofchoicebeforeplanting and count the number ofstems. Ideally, test 50 seed piecesto get a good estimate of averagestem number. If seed is physiolog-icallyold,orhasmanystems,then within-row spacing could beextended to allow more room for Figure2.Sproutgrowthrateisrelatedtosoiltemperature(adaptedfromtubers to grow. However, if young Kelmke and Moll, 1990). seedisplantedthewithin-row tuber,necessitatingalargerseed helpful. Best of luck with the 2021spacingcouldbedecreasedto piece.crop. reduce the number oversized pota-to tubers.Matchingseedtubertemperature to soil tem-Thereisarelationshipbetween perature is important tostemnumberandtuberset.As notstresstheseedandstem number increases, the num- provide optimal growth. Potato & Sugar Beetber of tubers increase. The number Potato sprout emergence STORAGE SOLUTIONSwill vary by cultivar and environ- rate is dependent on soilmentalconditions.Understand- temperature.Fully Perforated Strip Perforated Quarter Round Ventsingtheseedagewillhelpyoumakeadjustmenttowithin-row Ingeneral,assoiltem-spacing. Seed size typically ranges peraturesrisefrom45from an average size of 1.5 to 2.5 to 75F stems will faster Dedicated to Help Preserve andozperseedpiece.Decisionson (Figure2).However, Protect Your Agricultureseed piece size will depend on seed over 75 F stem growth Investmentsavailability, seed cost, and cultivar. can slow down. GrowingEachseedpieceshouldhaveat a great potato crop starts Rick Lenarzleast one eye. Some cultivars such withhighqualityseed 701.371.9980asRussetBannockorShepody and managing the seed. [email protected] a low distribution of eyes per I hope these tips can be www.TrueNorthSteel.comMARCH 2021 POTATO GROWER 11'