Published online by Cambridge University Press: 03 October 2008
Laboratory experiments and field tests were used to study the effects of seven anti-microbial agents and a trace element salt mixture (TEM) on the decay of cut pieces of seed potatoes. The effect of a mixture of gibberellic acid and ethrel (GA + E), TEM, and TEM with GA + E on the sprouting behaviour and yield of tubers was also studied. All the anti-microbial agents inhibited decay, although TEM and oxine were superior to other treatments. There was an increase in crop yield when seed tubers were treated with TEM. In laboratory tests, the GA + E mixture and TEM were effective in breaking dormancy.