Division of Plant Physiology, Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi - 110012.
1Present address: Central Potato Research Institute, Shimla - 171001, (HP)
The top growth as influenced by temperature was studied in potato (Solanum tuberosum L) under controlled conditions. Under short days (8hL 16hD), the optimum night temperature for leaf growth was 15–20°C when the day temperature was either 25 or 30°C. Maximum stem extension rate was observed at the day/night temperature of 30/25°C. Under natural short day conditions during winter in the North Indian plains, the sub-optimal night temperatures restrict potato top growth and thus reduce canopy size.
Canopy size, leaf growth, night temperature
