PJB-2026-69
Integrating Haulm Killing into Potato Management to Maximize Cultivar Performance and Seed Quality
Yasin Bedrettin Karan
Abstract
Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) remains a globally vital staple crop, yet optimizing seed tuber yield and quality across cultivar types and management practices remains a key challenge. Haulm killing—the pre-harvest termination of above-ground foliage—is widely used to enhance tuber maturation and storability, but maturity class–specific responses are underexplored. This study evaluated the effects of haulm killing on yield and quality traits across six potato cultivars representing three maturity classes over two growing seasons. Traits assessed included total yield, average tuber weight, tuber number per plant, dry matter content, and yield per plant. Field trials employed a randomized complete block design with three replicates per treatment. Data were analyzed using linear models and Type III ANOVA, incorporating factors for cultivar maturity class, year, treatment, and their interactions. Pearson correlations and heatmaps explored trait interrelationships, while Principal Component Analysis (PCA) classified responses based on multivariate trait patterns. Haulm killing significantly increased total yield (F = 22.76, p < 0.001) and average tuber weight across all maturity classes. Cultivar maturity class was the dominant source of variation (F = 81.76, p < 0.001), while year effects were not significant. Yield improvements were primarily associated with increased tuber weight, as confirmed by strong positive correlations between yield per plant and both total yield (r ≈ 0.99) and tuber weight (r ≈ 0.91). Dry matter content showed weak correlations with yield traits. PCA explained over 93% of the variance within the first two components, clearly separating treatment × maturity combinations based on productivity and quality trade-offs. These results confirm that haulm killing is an effective strategy to improve both yield and quality in seed potato systems. However, variation in treatment response across maturity groups highlights the need for tailored vine termination schedules aligned with cultivar characteristics and end-use goals.
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