Study the effect of slicing and ethylen expososing on bud number and length and changes of anthocyanin, amylase and chlorophyll a&b contents in potato tubers

This study was aimed to study the ways of removing dormancy period and accelerating pre-sowing tuber germination to provide simple tools to apply by farmers. For this purpose, intact tubers, exposed tubers to released Ethylene and sliced tubers were examined in respect to germination characters, bud length, starch, anthocyanin and chlorophyll contents and amylase activity. Relative amount of antocyanin was measured in buds and the area just below it. Results indicated that treatments had significant effects on all studied characters, except for mean bud number in 1% of probability level. Mean comparisons revealed that sliced tubers obtained higher values of studied characters, except for chlorophyll a content. The highest value for chlorophyll a content belonged to exposed tubers by Ethylen (released by banana), but differences were not significant. The highest bud length was seen in sliced tubers, but difference with ethylene treatment was not significant. The differences between sliced tubers with other treatments in respect to chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b and chlorophyll a+ chlorophyll b contents were significant. Results revealed that cutting the tubers is the best treatment to stimulate and accelerate bud germination in potato tubers. Cutting the whole or part of tubers can be adviceable as a proper management even in well-size tubers to stimulate and promote bud germination in potato. Also, Ethylen releasing fruits such as banana and apple which are readily accessable and available for farmers, can use as second approach to achieve bud germination stimulation.