Physiological growth of potato (<i>Solanum tuberosum</i> L.) following post-harvest seed treatment with 3-decen-2-one (SmartBlock^®)

Seed producers may use transient sprout suppressants during post-harvest storage to control sprouting, allowing growth during field planting. Inadvertent exposure to 3-decen-2-one (SmartBlock®) may occur during commercial storage and handling; however, its long-term effect on seed potatoes is unknown. This study aimed to determine the dose effect of SmartBlock® on the emergence percentage and growth of potatoes in a controlled environment (completely randomized design with three replicates). ‘Mnandi’ and ‘Vanderplank’ seed potatoes with sprouts less than 3 mm were stored in 9 L plastic containers and treated with 0.100 and 0.135 mL/kg SmartBlock® dosages, compared to a control. Emergence percentage, plant height, leaf area, stomatal conductance, CO2 assimilation, chlorophyll, transpiration rate, stem number and diameter and tuber number and weight were measured. At the high dosage (0.135 mL/kg), emergence percentage significantly reduced (p < .05) in Mnandi cultivar compared to the control. Therefore, this indicated that SmartBlock® can delay and reduce emergence depending on a dosage applied. SmartBlock® significantly (p < .05) reduced stomatal conductance, CO2 assimilation, and tuber weight, with effects observed at specific dosages and differing among cultivars. These results suggest that SmartBlock® may influence photosynthetic processes and yield components in a limited manner, with some variation between cultivars.