Abstract

The objective of this study was to measure the effect of plant water deficit on the growth of potato (Solanum tuberosum L. ‘Russet Burbank’) leaves and tubers. Changes in leaf length, in tuber weight and dimension, and in leaf water potential were measured in glasshouse-grown potatoes during drying cycles. Leaf elongation rate declined as leaf water potential decreased, and leaf growth ceased at water potentials between −4 and −5 bars. Field measurements of leaf elongation agreed with glasshouse results. Measurements of tuber weight, and of tuber length and diameter, indicated that tuber expansion also ceased at about −4 to −5 bars. These results are discussed in relation to the diurnal changes in leaf and tuber water potentials observed under field conditions.

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