Abstract

Considering the fact that altitude could significantly affect the quality of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) seeds, biological viability of seed tubers and cultivar Desiree originating from three sites in Serbia, Kotraža (700 ma.s.l.), Sjenica (1300 m a.s.l.) and Golija (1600 m a.s.l.), were evaluated at two different temperatures in the light phase of sprouting - commonly at 12°C and raised 18°C, continously during five weeks, in the two-yearperiod to establish efficient and confident sprouting method. Examined seed tubers had the highest number (8.37) of sprouts and developed the longest (21.24 mm) sprouts, because of heat accumulation at higher sprouting temperature of 18°C. High sprout vigor score (4.54) also was observed at 18°C, while at 12°C the lowest (2.27) score was calculated. Sprouting capacity increased with the increased altitude and it washighest at the 1600 m a.s.l. (0.30 to 0.85%), while the lowest one was obtained at 700 m a.s.l. (0.17 to 0.64%). Sprouting capacity of tubers was greater at lower sprouting temperature (0.33 to 0.74%).

Key words: Biological viability, potato, tubers, sprouting.