SPRING PLANTING FAVORS YIELD OF NEW BRAZILIAN POTATO CULTIVAR BRS F63 CAMILA

Resumo

The objective of this work was to test the effect of cultivars and different planting dates on the development and yield of potato plants. The treatments were three cultivars (Agata, BRS Clara and BRS F63 Camila) and three planting dates (October, December and February), carried out in two agricultural season (2014/15 and 2015/16). The yield, yield components, period of plant growth, leaf area index, number and dry weight of the tubers were evaluated. The first planting date resulted in higher yield than the third date. The cultivar BRS F63 Camila was the cultivar with highest yield in this first planting date due to the greater number of tubers produced in relation to the other cultivars and to the larger average weight of tubers in relation to Agata. In the second planting date, no difference in yield was observed among cultivars. In the third planting date, BRS Clara was the cultivar with highest yield due mainly to the higher average weight of tubers in relation to Agata, a fact favored by the higher leaf area index and longer growth period of BRS Clara. Depending on the planting date, one should choose the cultivar that results in maximum yield potential, since it is a plant management with low cost and high yield impact.