Variation in crop-level water-use efficiency due to contrasting patterns of biomass partitioning among potato cultivars (Solanum tuberosum L.)

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dc.contributor.authorDhital, Sujeeta
dc.contributor.authorUniversity of Lethbridge. Faculty of Arts and Science
dc.contributor.supervisorFlanagan, Larry B.
dc.date.accessioned2024-09-27T21:22:54Z
dc.date.available2024-09-27T21:22:54Z
dc.date.issued2024
dc.degree.levelMasters
dc.description.abstractIn arid southern Alberta, making efficient use of limited irrigation water is essential for increasing the production of crops like potato. The objective of this study was to test for variation in leaf-level and crop-level water-use efficiency (WUE) among eight cultivars of potato that are grown in southern Alberta. Measurements of the stable carbon and oxygen isotope composition, and the nitrogen content of plant leaf tissue were used to assess leaf- and crop-level WUE and total water-use by potato plants. In addition, aboveground plant biomass and tuber weight were determined for plants grown in a field experiment during May-August 2023. Results indicated that there were no significant differences among cultivars for leaf-level WUE. However, significant differences were observed among cultivars for crop-level WUE (ratio of tuber mass to seasonal cumulative plant water-use). Water-use by the different cultivars was strongly correlated with differences in aboveground biomass and total leaf area among cultivars. Crop-level WUE varied because of significant differences in cumulative water-use among cultivars, while tuber yield was very similar among the eight cultivars. Selection of the different cultivars has resulted in important differences in the partitioning of biomass to leaves, which controls total water-use, while leaf-level water-use and tuber yield was very similar among cultivars.
dc.embargoNo
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/10133/6924
dc.language.isoen
dc.publisherLethbridge, Alta. : University of Lethbridge, Dept. of Biological Sciences
dc.publisher.departmentDepartment of Biological Sciences
dc.publisher.facultyArts and Science
dc.relation.ispartofseriesThesis (University of Lethbridge. Faculty of Arts and Science)
dc.subjectwater use efficiency
dc.subjectcultivar
dc.subjectstable carbon isotope
dc.subjectstable oxygen isotope
dc.subjectpartitioning of biomass
dc.subjecttuber yield
dc.subjectcumulative water-use
dc.subject.lcshDissertations, Academic
dc.subject.lcshPlant-water relationships
dc.subject.lcshAlberta, Southern--Climate
dc.subject.lcshCrops and water--Alberta, Southern
dc.subject.lcshPotatoes--Varieties--Research--Alberta, Southern
dc.subject.lcshPotatoes--Varieties--Analysis
dc.subject.lcshPotatoes--Hardiness
dc.subject.lcshPotatoes--Yields
dc.subject.lcshPotatoes--Development
dc.titleVariation in crop-level water-use efficiency due to contrasting patterns of biomass partitioning among potato cultivars (Solanum tuberosum L.)
dc.typeThesis
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