Postharvest starch and sugars adjustment in potato tubers of wide-ranging dormancy genotypes subjected to various sprout forcing techniques

Postharvest starch and sugars adjustment in potato tubers of wide-ranging dormancy genotypes subjected to various sprout forcing techniques | Research Square window.SnipcartSettings = { analytics: { enabled: false } }; (function() { var accessVector = localStorage.getItem('access_vector') || ''; window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; if (accessVector) { window.dataLayer.push({ user: { profile: { profileInfo: { snid: accessVector } } } }); } })(); (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src='https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-K279D39R'); Browse Preprints In Review Journals COVID-19 Preprints AJE Video Bytes Research Tools Research Promotion AJE Professional Editing AJE Rubriq About Preprint Platform In Review Editorial Policies Our Team Advisory Board Help Center Sign In Submit a Preprint Cite Share Download PDF Article Postharvest starch and sugars adjustment in potato tubers of wide-ranging dormancy genotypes subjected to various sprout forcing techniques Muhammad Wasim Haider, Muhammad Nafees, Rashid Iqbal, Habat Ullah Asad, and 6 more This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-2394606/v1 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Published Journal Publication published 08 Sep, 2023 Read the published version in Scientific Reports → Version 1 posted 8 You are reading this latest preprint version Abstract Development of an efficient, safe and environment-friendly technique to terminate tuber dormancy in potatoes ( Solanum tuberosum L.) is of great concern due to an immense scope of multiple cropping all over the globe. The breakage of tuber dormancy has been associated with numerous physiological changes including a decline in the level of starch and increase in the levels of sugars during storage of freshly harvested seed potatoes, although their consistency across the genotypes and various dormancy breaking techniques have not yet been fully elucidated. The purpose of the present research is to assess the efficacy of four different dormancy breaking techniques such as soaking in 90, 60, or 30 mgL −1 solutions of benzylaminopurine (BAP) and 30, 20, or 10 mgL −1 gibberellic acid (GA3) alone and in the combination of optimized concentrations; cold pre-treatment at 6, 4, or 2°C; electric shock at 80, 60, 40, or 20 Vs; and irradiation at 3.5, 3, 2.5, 2, 1.5, or 1 kGy on tuber dormancy period and sprout length of six genotypes. Furthermore, the changes occurred in tuber weight and endogenous starch, sucrose, fructose, and glucose contents in experimental genotypes following application of these techniques were also examined. Overall, the most effective technique to terminate tuber dormancy and hasten spout growth was the combined application of BAP and GA 3 , which reduced the length of dormancy by 9.6 days compared to the untreated control, following 6.7 days of electric current, 4.4 days of cold pre-treatment, and finally irradiation (3.3 days). The 60 mgL −1 solution of BAP greatly reduced the dormancy period in all genotypes but did not affect the sprout length at all. The genotypes showed a negative weak correlation ( r ≤ − 0.4 ) of endogenous starch contents with dormancy breakage and weight loss or moderate ( r ≤ − 0.5 ) correlation with sprout length; but a strong positive correlation (r ≥ 0.8 ) of tuber glucose, fructose, and sucrose contents with dormancy breakage and weight loss. During three weeks storage, sprouting commencement and significant weight loss occurred as tuber dormancy advanced towards breakage due to reduction in starch and increase in sucrose, fructose, and glucose contents of tubers. These findings could be advantageous for postponing or accelerating seed potato storage as well as investigating related physiological research in the future. Biological sciences/Plant sciences/Plant physiology Biological sciences/Plant sciences Earth and environmental sciences/Ecology Dormancy Sprouting Plant growth regulators γ-radiations Cold pre-treatment Electric current Starch Sugars Tuber weight loss Figures Figure 1 Figure 2 Figure 3 Figure 4 Figure 5 Figure 6 Figure 7 Figure 8 Figure 9 Figure 10 Figure 11 Introduction Potato stands first among non-grain and fourth among grain food crops, all over the world, in acreage as well as production 1 . Due to short growing period, potato offers a quicker crop than cereals or legumes and also produce more food calorie per unit by using less water compared to either rice or wheat 2 . In Pakistan, potato is grown on approximately 185.4 thousand hectares with an approximate yearly production of 4552.7 thousand tonnes, at an average of 24.6-ton ha − 1 a comparatively low average yield 3 , 4 . This low yield can be attributed to poor-quality seed 5 . One of the major reasons of the declined quality seed in Pakistan is long-term storage of seed potato 6 , 7 by depending on autumn-to-autumn cycle for the seed 8 . Potato is cultivated round the year in Pakistan. As the main crop is autumn crop (mid-Sep to mid-Dec) and accounts for 80–85% of the entire production, followed by the spring (1st Jan to 1st April) and summer (1st May to mid-Aug) crops, accounting for 10–15% and 1–2% of the production, respectively 9 . But, after harvest, the tubers of potato enter a phase of deep dormancy for a specific period of time 10 . Dormancy is a developmental stage in which sprouting will not occur even under promising ecological conditions 11 . As a result, the spring and summer harvests cannot be utilized as seed for the next summer and autumn crops. Likewise, the seed harvested in the autumn could not be sown to the next spring and summer crops. The economic period of dormancy differs from country to country depending on the cropping pattern. The time between harvesting and sowing subsequent crops is very short (< 1 month) in Pakistan, hence, diminishing the scope of multiple cropping. The availability of short-term dormancy genotypes or/and effective and safe-to-use dormancy breaking technique can enable the growers to get two or three crops a year. As seed tubers are the living entities, and respire during storage, so lose their weights and hence the quality 12 . The percentage of tuber weight loss is considerably genotype and storage environment dependent 13 . Tubers with sprouts lose more weight compared to unsprouted ones since there is a significant relationship between sprout growth and weight loss 14 . Potato comprises approximately 68% starch of the total tuber dry matter which indicates a high demand for carbohydrates 15 . The contents of tuber starch, sucrose, fructose and glucose substantially depend on growth and development stage 16 . During the tuberization, massive buildup of starch occurs in the tubers with the highest sucrose, fructose, and glucose contents 17 , and as they mature physiologically these contents tend to decline 18 . According to previous studies, immature tubers contain 0.2 to 1.5% sucrose and 0.01 to 0.7% reducing sugars 19 , while mature tubers contain 0.1 to 0.6% sucrose and 0.04 to 0.4% reducing sugars 18 , 20 . A rapid accumulation of soluble sugars occurs during instinct dormancy breakage 21 , 22 . Although their exact levels in genotypes are still unknown. The dormancy breakage can also be governed by various dormancy breaking approaches 23 . The most popular techniques include use of various chemicals such as carbon disulfide 24 , bromoethane 25 , rindite 26 , and thiourea 27 . However, they are either inefficient or harmful to both people and the environment. The ecofriendly and harmless techniques are always preferred for sustainable agriculture. The application of plant growth regulators (PGRs) in low quantities, cold pre-treatment, electric current and irradiation are reported to terminate tuber dormancy and stimulate sprouting in potatoes, and are also safe-to-use for humans. Combined applications of BAP and GA 3 could be advantageous as BAP being a cytokinin terminates the tuber dormancy by attracting assimilates while GA 3 is responsible for mobilization of assimilates for sprout growth 28 . Electric current breaks tuber dormancy by inducing GA 3 production when employed at a certain voltage 10 , 29 . Cold shock and γ-rays are known to affect the sugar levels of potato tubers. The reducing and non-reducing sugars both inevitably rose within a week of exposure to radiations as earlier reported by Haider et al. 10 and Amjad et al. 30 which were then utilized by the growing sprout. Although, the exact levels of starch and sugars at dormancy breakage in response to various dormancy breaking techniques are undefined yet. Understanding these endogenous changes in the tuber may help to choose a suitable dormancy breaking technique based on available resources to force the sprouting in potatoes for their use as seed. Materials And Methods Plant materials Six potato ( Solanum tuberosum L.) genotypes screened out of 22 containing three red (FD8-1, FD73-49, and PRI Red) and white skin genotypes (FD69-1, Sante, and FD51-5) (Fig. 1 ), were acquired from Potato Research Institute (PRI) of Sahiwal in Pakistan 6 . Based on their dormancy behaviour, only healthy tubers were chosen from each genotype for the study of dormancy period, sprout length, weight loss, starch, sucrose, fructose, and glucose contents; excluding the damaged, diseased, or misshapen tubers, after application of various dormancy breaking techniques given in detail below. Application of dormancy breaking techniques During March-2018, tubers from the PRI, Sahiwal were collected 10 days after harvesting. Tubers were immersed in benzylaminopurine (BAP) solutions of 90, 60, or 30 mgL − 1 and gibberellic acid (GA 3 ) solutions of 30, 20, or 10 mgL − 1 for 24 hours in order to optimize their concentrations. The tubers were then immersed in the PGRs’ solutions of their optimized concentrations to evaluate their cumulative effect on dormancy breakage and subsequent sprouting. Tubers were immersed in distilled water as a control. Each treatment was repeated thrice and 30 tubers were utilized in every replication. The parenchyma tissues of potato were exposed to PGRs’ solutions by making a tiny cut (10 mm depth × 15 mm length) due to impermeability of potato skin to chemicals 10 . After treatment, the tubers were kept at room temperature (23.8 ± 1.0°C) until sprouting. Secondly, tubers were packed in perforated cardboard boxes and transported to the Ayyub Agricultural Research Institute's Postharvest Research Centre for low temperature treatment. The tubers were kept in storage for four days under various low temperature conditions, including 6°C, 4°C, 2°C, and control. Tubers were subjected to electric current (80 V, 60 V, 40 V, or 20 V) for 24 hours by having needles (of hand-made electric stimulator) inserted 15 mm into the flesh at the tubers’ stem and apical ends. In control tubers, needles were injected but without electric current. After being treated, the tubers were kept at room temperature. For evaluation of the impact of γ-rays on tuber starch and sugars contents, a 137Cs source with a radiation output of 1 kGy/1.5 hr was utilized at the Nuclear Institute of Agriculture and Biology (NIAB) in Faisalabad. All the above experiments were arranged according to completely randomized design (CRD) in factorial settings. Data collection Measurement of dormancy duration and sprout length Six tubers in each replication were used to measure the dormancy time and sprout length on a daily basis. The dormancy was considered to be broken when the tubers' sprouts gained a length of 2 mm 10 , 31 , 32 . The length of sprout was taken with a measuring scale. Determination of tuber weight loss Tuber weight loss was calculated by the formula given below. In which, “T0” represents the initial weight of tubers following the harvest, while “T” represents the final weight of tubers following three-week storage. The finial values were calculated by taking the mean of three replicates. The selected tubers were labelled for each genotype and weighed using an electronic balance (DM-01, ScaleTech, Beijing, China) $$\text{T}\text{u}\text{b}\text{e}\text{r} \text{w}\text{e}\text{i}\text{g}\text{h}\text{t} \text{l}\text{o}\text{s}\text{s} \left(\text{\%}\right)=\frac{T₀-T}{T₀} \times 100$$ Determination of starch contents in tubers Starch estimation was carried out by anthrone reagent 33 . A fresh sample weighing 0.5 g was homogenized in hot 80% ethanol and centrifuged at 10,000 rpm for 20 min. The residue was then mixed with 5 ml of water and 6.5 ml of perchloric acid, and it was then refrigerated for 20 min at 2°C. The leftover material was again centrifuged, and the supernatant was saved for examination. The final volume was increased to 100 ml, and distilled water was used to dilute it in a ratio of 1:5. Each test tube received 4 ml of the anthrone reagent, which was then heated in a boiling water bath for around 8 min. The content was rapidly cooled. A UV-Vis spectrophotometer (2326K, Hermle Labortechnik GmbH, Wehingen, Germany) was used to measure the absorbance of the collected supernatant at 630 nm. The starch contents of the fresh potato samples were determined using a series of glucose working standards solutions (20–100 µg mL − 1 ). Quantification of endogenous sugar contents in tubers Sugar levels were quantified using HPLC one week and three weeks after the treatment of tubers 34 . A 20 g sample of the tuber was extracted for 10 minutes in 40 ml of distilled water with a magnetic stirrer to dissolve the sugars. After that, the extracts were centrifuged for 10 minutes at 13000×g to separate the supernatants. Each sample was filtered through a 0.45 µm membrane filter prior to HPLC analysis Settings for Liquid chromatography (LC) LC separation was carried out at room temperature on a RazexTM RCM-Monosaccharidses Ca + 2 - Phenomenex. The mobile phase was 100% double-distilled water. HPLC was connected to a refractive index detector (ReID) RID-10 AL (Shimadzu, Japan). The column temperature was 25°C. The injection volume and flow rate were 20 µl and 1 ml min-1, respectively. Detected quantities of sugars were determined from peak areas of external standards consisting of sucrose (1%), fructose (1%), and glucose (1%) solutions 35 . Results were expressed as percentage of dry weight. Statistical analyses All data were subjected to a three-way analysis of variance (genotype, treatment, and storage period) using Statistix9® software (Analytical Software, Tallahassee, USA). Results are interpreted as the relative contribution of genotype, treatment, storage period, and their interactions by calculating the percentage of total variance from the corresponding sum of squares 36 . For mean comparisons of main effects for genotype, treatment, storage period, and their interactions at P ≤ 0.05 , the least significant difference (LSD) test was applied. The Pearson's correlation analysis was performed by the general linear model procedure in SAS, version 9.2 (Cary, NC). Results Screening Trial There were significant differences in the post-harvest dormancy period among the original 22 genotypes evaluated in the screening trial 6 . From these, three distinct groups were chosen based on their dormancy behavior. Short-term dormancy genotypes included PRI Red and FD51-5; medium-term dormancy genotypes included FD73-49 and Sante, while FD8-1 and FD69-1 were classified as long-term dormancy genotypes. Each group contained one red and one white skin genotype since consumers in the country (Pakistan) prefer and consume these two colors of tubers equally. Individual application of PGRs and their optimization Effect on tuber dormancy period, sprout length and weight loss PGRs, genotypes, storage periods and their interactions had a significant ( P ≤ 0.05 ) effect on tuber dormancy period, sprout length, and weight loss (Table 1 ). Among PGRs, 60 mgL − 1 solution of BAP shortened the tuber dormancy period most effectively, in all genotypes, whereas, 20 mgL − 1 of GA 3 was the most effective in increasing sprout length, respectively (Table 1 ). The highest weight loss (2.17%) was also noted in the tubers soaked in 60 mgL − 1 solution of BAP, followed by those soaked in 20 mgL − 1 of GA 3 . Among genotypes, PRI Red exhibited the shortest dormancy period (13.7 days) (Table 1 ) and FD8-1 took the longest period (30.9 days) to dormancy breakage. With the increase in storage period, dormancy period reduced and sprout growth and weight loss increased (Table 1 ). Table 1 Effect of PGRs on tuber dormancy period, sprout length and weight loss of six potato genotypes in relation to endogenous changes occurred in starch, sucrose, fructose and glucose contents of tuber. Factors DP (days) SL WL (%) Starch (%) Sucrose Fructose (%) Glucose (%) (mm) (%) Treatment (T) Control 27.9a 1.36f 1.95e 11.76a 0.80e 0.214d 0.741d (mgL-1) BAP 90 21.3d 1.64d 2.03c 11.59b 0.86b 0.228b 0.780b BAP 60 18.4f 1.76c 2.17a 11.07e 0.93a 0.257a 0.864a BAP 30 24.5b 1.54e 1.98d 11.49c 0.82cde 0.216cd 0.764c GA3 30 22.9c 1.82c 0.88d 11.38d 0.81de 0.215d 0.746d GA3 20 20.3e 2.05a 2.07b 10.91f 0.83c 0.220c 0.763c GA3 10 22.8c 1.92b 2.01c 11.50c 0.83cd 0.221c 0.766bc LSD T (P ≤ 0.05) 0.58 0.082 0.022 0.064 0.016 0.004 0.014 Genotype (G) FD8-1 30.9a 0.9e 1.71e 14.92b 0.87d 0.21d 0.82d FD69-1 29.6b 1.1d 1.79d 14.68a 0.92c 0.23c 0.84c FD73-49 21.5d 1.7b 2.15b 11.45c 0.50f 0.12f 0.45f Sante 22.6c 1.6c 2.10c 10.71d 1.01b 0.29b 0.92b PRI Red 13.7f 3.4a 2.23a 7.81f 1.08a 0.32a 1.00a FD51-5 17.1e 1.7bc 2.15b 8.73e 0.65e 0.14e 0.59e LSD G (P ≤ 0.05) 0.53 0.077 0.020 0.060 0.015 0.004 0.013 Storage period (SP) Week 1 0.0b 0.00b 0.00b 12.17a 0.35b 0.09b 0.32b Week 3 45.1a 3.47a 4.05a 10.61b 1.33a 0.35a 1.22a LSD SP (P ≤ 0.05) 0.31 0.044 0.012 0.034 0.008 0.002 0.007 LSD T × G (P ≤ 0.05) 1.41 0.203 0.053 0.159 NS NS NS LSD T × SP (P ≤ 0.05) 0.82 0.117 0.031 0.056 0.023 0.006 0.020 LSD G × SP (P ≤ 0.05) 0.76 0.108 0.029 0.051 0.021 0.006 0.019 LSD T × G × SP (P ≤ 0.05) 1.99 0.287 0.075 0.225 NS NS NS DP, dormancy period; SL, sprout length; WL, weight loss; BAP, benzylaminopurine; GA3, gibberellic acid. NS, Non-significant at P ≤ 0.05. Treatment means sharing same letter are non-significantly different. LSD, least significant difference. Under PGRs × storage period interaction, BAP showed a significant effect on all experimental genotypes after third week of storage in term of dormancy breakage (Fig. 2 a) while GA 3 in term of sprout growth (Fig. 2 b). Whereas, weight loss was observed maximum (Fig. 2 c) in the tubers stored for three weeks after soaking in 60 mgL − 1 BAP. Under genotype × storage period interaction, PRI Red advanced rapidly towards dormancy breakage (27.3 days) (Fig. 3 a) with production of longest sprout at week 3 (6.9 mm) (Fig. 3 b) due to which it remarkably dropped its weight (4.5%) (Fig. 3 c). On the other hand, FD8-1 displayed the longest tuber dormancy period (61.7 days) (Fig. 3 a) with shortest sprout length (1.7 mm) (Fig. 3 b) and lowest weight loss (3.4%) (Fig. 3 c). Effect on endogenous starch, sucrose, fructose and glucose contents of tuber The starch, sucrose, fructose and glucose contents in the experimental tubers were significantly affected by PGRs, genotypes, storage periods, and the two-way interactions of PGRs × storage period and genotype × storage period (Table 1 ). The starch contents were significantly decreased (10.91%) in the tubers treated with 20 mgL − 1 solution of GA 3 trailed by 60 mgL − 1 of BAP (11.07%) (Table 1 ). The sucrose (0.93%), fructose (0.257%), and glucose (0.864%) contents of tubers, on the other hand, were found highest in the tubers treated with 60 mgL − 1 of BAP followed by 90 mgL − 1 of BAP. Among GA 3 levels, the treatment with 20 mgL − 1 developed the highest contents of sucrose, fructose, and glucose. Among genotypes, FD69-1 exhibited the highest level (14.68%) of starch while PRI depicted the lowest level (7.81%) (Table 1 ). Alternatively, sucrose, fructose and glucose were found highest in PRI Red and lowest in FD73-49 (Table 1 ). There was a weak negative ( r < − 0.4 ) correlation of starch contents with tuber dormancy period and weight loss or moderate ( r ≥ − 0.5 ) correlation with sprout length. However, tuber glucose, fructose, and sucrose contents had a strong positive correlation ( r ≥ 0.8 ) with dormancy period, sprout length and weight loss. From first to third week of storage, starch contents declined while sucrose, fructose and glucose contents elevated (Table 1 ). Under PGRs × storage period interaction, BAP and GA3 showed a comparatively greater effect on tuber starch (Fig. 2 d), sucrose (Fig. 2 e), fructose (Fig. 2 f), and glucose (Fig. 2 g) contents than untreated control. Under genotype × storage period interaction, starch contents decreased more rapidly in the short-term dormancy genotypes than in the moderate or long-term dormancy genotypes (Fig. 3 d). On the other hand, sucrose (Fig. 3 e), fructose (Fig. 3 f) and glucose (Fig. 3 g) contents were developed in small quantities in the tubers of PRI Red during first week in comparison with the contents during third week. Individual and combined application of optimized levels of PGRs Effect on tuber dormancy period, sprout length and weight loss The main effects of PGRs, genotypes, and storage periods as well as their interactive effects had a significant ( P ≤ 0.05 ) influence on tuber dormancy period, sprout length, and weight loss (Table 2 ). Among PGRs, combination of 60 mgL − 1 BAP with 20 mgL − 1 GA 3 efficiently broke the dormancy of tubers within 18.1 days and increased the sprout length by 33.6% (Table 2 ). The tubers soaked in both 60 mgL − 1 BAP and 20 mgL − 1 GA 3 solutions also demonstrated highest weight loss (2.31%). Among genotypes, PRI Red exhibited the shortest dormancy period (13.8 days) with highest sprout length (3.5 mm) and weight loss (2.27%) whereas FD8-1 took the longest period (30.6 days) to dormancy breakage with smallest sprout length (0.95 mm) and weight loss (1.79%) (Table 2 ). With the increase in storage period, dormancy period decreased and sprout growth and weight loss increased (Table 2 ). Table 2 Individual and combined effect of optimized PGRs levels on tuber dormancy period, sprout length and weight loss of six potato genotypes and relative changes occurred in endogenous starch, sucrose, fructose and glucose contents. Factors DP (days) SL WL (%) Starch (%) Sucrose Fructose (%) Glucose (%) (mm) (%) Treatment (T) Control 27.7a 1.36c 1.90d 11.62a 0.81d 0.20d 0.73d (mgL-1) BAP 60 18.7c 1.71b 2.04c 10.94b 0.96b 0.25b 0.86b GA3 20 23.3b 2.01a 2.16b 10.76c 0.84c 0.21c 0.76c BAP 60 + GA3 20 18.0c 2.08a 2.31a 10.58d 0.99a 0.25a 0.89a LSD T (P ≤ 0.05) 0.75 0.076 0.017 0.068 0.018 0.004 0.017 Genotype (G) FD8-1 30.6a 0.95e 1.79d 14.63a 0.96c 0.22d 0.87c FD69-1 28.8b 1.14d 1.87c 14.30b 0.97c 0.24c 0.87c FD73-49 21.5c 1.75b 2.25a 10.88c 0.54e 0.12f 0.49e Sante 21.6c 1.65c 2.17b 10.40d 1.06b 0.30b 0.96b PRI Red 13.8e 3.55a 2.27a 7.26f 1.15a 0.33a 1.05a FD51-5 15.4d 1.65c 2.27a 8.37e 0.72d 0.16e 0.64d LSD G (P ≤ 0.05) 0.91 0.093 0.021 0.083 0.02 0.005 0.021 Storage period (SP) Week 1 0.0b 0.0b 0.00b 12.05a 0.36b 0.09b 0.33b Week 3 43.9a 3.57a 4.21a 9.89b 1.44a 0.37a 1.30a LSD SP (P ≤ 0.05) 0.53 0.05 0.006 0.009 0.013 0.003 0.012 LSD T × G (P ≤ 0.05) 1.83 0.19 0.043 0.167 NS NS NS LSD T × SP (P ≤ 0.05) 1.05 0.11 0.025 0.096 0.026 0.006 0.025 LSD G × SP (P ≤ 0.05) 1.29 0.13 0.030 0.118 0.032 0.007 0.030 LSD T × G × SP (P ≤ 0.05) 2.58 0.26 0.061 0.237 NS NS NS DP, dormancy period; SL, sprout length; WL, weight loss; BAP, benzylaminopurine; GA3, gibberellic acid. NS, Non-significant at P ≤ 0.05. Treatment means sharing same letter are non-significantly different. LSD, least significant difference. Under PGRs × storage period interaction, BAP and GA 3 showed a significant cumulative effect on all experimental genotypes after third week of storage with the quickest dormancy breakage (Fig. 4 a) and the greatest sprout length (Fig. 4 b); as a result, highest weight loss (Fig. 4 c). Under genotype × storage period interaction, PRI Red advanced rapidly towards dormancy breakage (27.8 days) (Fig. 5 a) with production of longest sprout at week 3 (7.3 mm) (Fig. 5 b) due to rapid rate of decrease in starch contents and increase in sugars contents which resulted in a remarkable drop in its weight (4.6%) (Fig. 5 c). On the other hand, FD8-1 displayed the longest tuber dormancy period (61.3 days) (Fig. 5 a) with shortest sprout length (1.9 mm) (Fig. 5 b) and lowest weight loss (3.5%) (Fig. 5 c). Effect on endogenous starch, sucrose, fructose and glucose contents of tuber The starch, sucrose, fructose and glucose contents in the experimental tubers were significantly ( P ≤ 0.05 ) influenced by PGRs, genotypes, storage periods, and the two-way interactions of PGRs × storage period and genotype × storage period (Table 2 ). The application of 60 mgL − 1 of BAP and 20 mgL − 1 of GA 3 together resulted in the lowest starch (10.58%) and highest sucrose (0.99%), fructose (0.25%), and glucose (0.89%) levels. The highest starch contents among genotypes were found in FD8-1, while the lowest were found in PRI Red (Table 2 ). Alternatively, sucrose, fructose and glucose were found highest in PRI Red and lowest in FD73-49 (Table 2 ). There was a weak negative ( r < − 0.1 ) correlation of starch contents with tuber dormancy period and moderate to strong ( r ≥ − 0.5–0.65 ) correlation with sprout length and weight loss, respectively. However, tuber glucose, fructose, and sucrose contents had a strong positive correlation (r ≥ 0.8) with dormancy period, sprout length and weight loss. During three weeks of storage, starch contents reduced while sucrose, fructose and glucose contents aggravated (Table 2 ). Under PGRs × storage period interaction, BAP and GA3 together decreased the starch contents by 61.2% (Fig. 4 d) and increased the sucrose (Fig. 4 e), fructose (Fig. 4 f), and glucose (Fig. 4 g) contents by 21%, 13.2%, and 20.9%, correspondingly. Under the interactive effect of genotype × storage period, starch levels dropped more quickly in the short-term dormancy genotypes than in the moderate or long-term dormancy genotypes (Fig. 5 d). On the other hand, sucrose (Fig. 5 e), fructose (Fig. 5 f) and glucose (Fig. 5 g) contents were developed in small quantities in the tubers of PRI Red during first week in comparison with the contents during third week. Cold pre-treatment of tubers Effect on tuber dormancy period, sprout length and weight loss The tuber dormancy period, sprout length, and weight loss were significantly ( P ≤ 0.05 ) affected by the cold storage temperature, genotypes, storage periods and their interactions, temperature × storage period and genotype × storage period (Table 3 ). The tuber weight loss was also affected by temperature × genotype and temperature × genotype × storage period (Table 3 ). All other interactions were found non-significant ( P > 0.05 ) (Table 3 ). Among storage temperatures, 2°C resulted in significant reduction of dormancy period (22.5 days) and increase in sprout length (1.67 mm) in all genotypes (Table 3 ). Also, the highest weight loss (2.04%) was recorded in the tubers kept at 2°C. Among genotypes, PRI Red exhibited the shortest dormancy period (16.3 days), highest sprout length (3.15 mm) and weight loss (2.18%) while FD8-1 the longest period (33.6 days), smallest sprout length (0.64 mm) and weight loss (1.58%) (Table 3 ). With the increase in storage period, tuber dormancy reduced while sprout length and weight loss increased. Table 3 Effect of cold pre-treatment on tuber dormancy period, sprout length and weight loss of six potato genotypes and relative changes occurred in endogenous starch, sucrose, fructose and glucose contents. Factors DP (days) SL WL (%) Starch (%) Sucrose Fructose (%) Glucose (%) (mm) (%) Temperature (T) Control 26.9a 1.37c 1.88c 10.79a 0.80d 0.20b 0.73c 6°C 25.6b 1.38c 1.83d 10.53ab 0.82c 0.21b 0.74c 4°C 24.3c 1.50b 1.95b 10.43b 0.83b 0.21b 0.76b 2°C 22.5d 1.67a 2.04a 10.27b 0.88a 0.23a 0.79a LSD T (P ≤ 0.05) 0.84 0.098 0.036 0.341 0.012 0.004 0.011 Genotype (G) FD8-1 33.6a 0.64d 1.58e 14.51a 0.90c 0.21d 0.83c FD69-1 31.9b 0.70d 1.65d 11.76b 0.91c 0.23c 0.82c FD73-49 24.0c 1.35c 2.09b 10.34c 0.48e 0.12f 0.44e Sante 24.7c 1.50b 1.94c 9.13d 0.98b 0.29b 0.89b PRI Red 16.3e 3.15a 2.18a 8.38e 1.07a 0.31a 0.97a FD51-5 18.5d 1.56b 2.11b 8.90d 0.65d 0.13e 0.59d LSD G (P ≤ 0.05) 1.03 0.120 0.045 0.418 0.02 0.012 0.014 Storage period (SP) Week 1 0.0b 0.0b 0.00b 11.24a 0.34b 0.08b 0.32b Week 3 49.7a 2.97a 3.86a 9.77b 1.32a 0.35a 1.20a LSD SP (P ≤ 0.05) 0.53 0.069 0.026 0.241 0.015 0.007 0.008 LSD T × G (P ≤ 0.05) NS NS 0.090 NS NS NS NS LSD T × SP (P ≤ 0.05) 1.19 0.13 0.052 0.483 0.017 0.014 0.016 LSD G × SP (P ≤ 0.05) 1.45 0.16 0.063 0.592 0.021 0.018 0.020 LSD T × G × SP (P ≤ 0.05) NS NS 0.128 NS NS NS NS DP, dormancy period; SL, sprout length; WL, weight loss. NS, Non-significant at P ≤ 0.05. Treatment means sharing same letter are non-significantly different. LSD, least significant difference. Under temperature × storage period interaction, the dormancy period was significantly broken earlier by almost 8.7 days compared to control when tubers were kept at 2°C (Fig. 6 a). The tubers kept at this temperature also gave 18.2% greater sprout length (Fig. 6 b) and 7.9% more weight loss (Fig. 6 c) than control tubers. Under genotype × storage period interaction, PRI Red advanced rapidly towards dormancy breakage (32.6 days) (Fig. 7 a) with production of longest sprout at week 3 (6.5 mm) (Fig. 7 b) due to rapid rate of decrease in starch contents and increase in sugars contents which resulted in a remarkable drop in its weight (4.4%) (Fig. 7 c). On the other hand, FD8-1 displayed the longest tuber dormancy period (67.2 days) (Fig. 7 a) with shortest sprout length (1.2 mm) (Fig. 7 b) and lowest weight loss (3.2%) (Fig. 7 c). Effect on endogenous starch, sucrose, fructose and glucose contents of tuber The starch contents decreased (10.27%) with the lowest temperature (2°C) treatment. The sucrose (0.88%), fructose (0.23%), and glucose (0.79%) contents, on the other hand, were enhanced by cold pre-treatment at 2°C (Table 3 ). Among genotypes, the maximum starch contents were recorded in FD8-1 (14.51%), while the minimum in PRI Red (8.38%) (Table 3 ). Alternatively, sucrose, fructose and glucose were found highest in PRI Red and lowest in FD73-49 (Table 3 ). There was a negative weak ( r < − 0.3 ) correlation of starch contents with tuber dormancy period and a moderate ( r ≥ − 0.5 ) correlation with sprout length and weight loss. However, tuber glucose, fructose, and sucrose contents had a strong positive correlation (r ≥ 0.8) with dormancy period, sprout length and weight loss. From first to third week of storage, starch contents lessened while sucrose, fructose and glucose contents enhanced (Table 3 ). Under Temperature × storage period interaction, the lowest temperature i.e. , 2°C decreased the starch contents by 49.5% (Fig. 6 d) and increased the sucrose (Fig. 6 e), fructose (Fig. 6 f), and glucose (Fig. 6 g) contents by 9%, 9.6%, and 9.3% correspondingly. Under the interactive effect of genotype × storage period , starch levels dropped more quickly in the short-term dormancy genotypes than in the moderate or long-term dormancy genotypes (Fig. 7 d). On the other hand, sucrose (Fig. 7 e), fructose (Fig. 7 f) and glucose (Fig. 7 g) contents were developed in small quantities in the tubers of PRI Red during first week in comparison with the contents during third week. Electric shock of tubers Effect on tuber dormancy period, sprout length and weight loss The tuber dormancy period, sprout length, and weight loss were significantly affected by the electric current, genotypes, storage periods and their interactions, electric current × storage period and genotype × storage period (Table 4 ). The tuber weight loss was also affected by electric current × genotype and electric current × genotype × storage period (Table 4 ). The tubers treated with the electric current at 80 V had the shortest dormancy period (20.5 days), which was statistically different from the control. The highest sprout length (1.74 mm) and weight loss (2.11%) were also recorded in the tubers treated with 80 V electric current. Among genotypes, PRI Red exhibited the shortest dormancy period (15.4 days), highest sprout length (3.24 mm) and weight loss (2.14%) while FD8-1 the longest period (31.4 days), smallest sprout length (0.58 mm) and weight loss (1.70%) (Table 3 ). As storage period advanced, tuber dormancy reduced with increase in the sprout length and weight loss. Table 4 Effect of electric current on tuber dormancy period, sprout length and weight loss of six potato genotypes and relative changes occurred in in endogenous starch, fructose, glucose and sucrose contents. Factors DP (days) SL WL (%) Starch (%) Sucrose Fructose (%) Glucose (%) (mm) (%) Electric current (Ec) 0-V 27.2a 1.37b 1.87e 10.73a 0.81c 0.212c 0.74d 80-V 20.5d 1.74a 2.11a 10.17c 0.90a 0.247a 0.83a 60-V 23.2c 1.44b 2.03b 10.35bc 0.84b 0.221b 0.77b 40-V 23.9c 1.38b 1.97c 10.39bc 0.83b 0.219b 0.77b 20-V 25.1b 1.37b 1.92d 10.58ab 0.82c 0.215c 0.75c LSD T (P ≤ 0.05) 0.80 0.097 0.027 0.333 0.009 0.004 0.009 Genotype (G) FD8-1 31.4a 0.58e 1.70d 14.50a 0.88c 0.20d 0.82c FD69-1 30.2b 0.65e 1.73c 11.68b 0.89c 0.24c 0.82c FD73-49 24.2c 1.30d 2.17a 10.37c 0.51e 0.12f 0.46e Sante 24.1c 1.44c 1.98b 8.97d 1.01b 0.29b 0.92b PRI Red 15.4e 3.24a 2.14a 8.27e 1.11a 0.32a 1.02a FD51-5 18.5d 1.57b 2.16a 8.86d 0.64d 0.14e 0.59d LSD G (P ≤ 0.05) 0.88 0.106 0.029 0.365 0.010 0.005 0.021 Storage period (SP) Week 1 0.0b 0.0b 0.00b 11.10a 0.35b 0.08b 0.32b Week 3 48.0a 2.92a 3.97a 9.79b 1.33a 0.35a 1.23a LSD SP (P ≤ 0.05) 0.50 0.061 0.017 0.210 0.006 0.002 0.006 LSD Ec × G (P ≤ 0.05) NS NS 0.066 NS NS NS NS LSD Ec × SP (P ≤ 0.05) 1.13 0.13 0.038 0.471 0.013 0.006 0.013 LSD G × SP (P ≤ 0.05) 1.24 0.15 0.042 0.516 0.015 0.007 0.015 LSD Ec × G × SP (P ≤ 0.05) NS NS 0.094 NS NS NS NS DP, dormancy period; SL, sprout length; WL, weight loss. NS = Non-significant at P ≤ 0.05. Treatment means followed by the same letter are not significantly different. LSD, least significant difference. Under electric current × storage period interaction, the dormancy period was significantly broken almost 13.2 days before in comparison with control when tubers were treated with 80 V electric current (Fig. 8 a). The tubers treated with 80 V electric current also gave 21.2% greater sprout length (Fig. 8 b) and 11.5% more weight loss (Fig. 8 c) than control tubers. Under genotype × storage period interaction, PRI Red advanced rapidly towards dormancy breakage (32.6 days) (Fig. 9 a) with production of longest sprout at week 3 (6.48 mm) (Fig. 9 b) due to rapid rate of decrease in starch contents and increase in sugars contents which resulted in a remarkable drop in its weight (4.37%) (Fig. 9 c). On the other hand, FD8-1 displayed the longest tuber dormancy period (67.3 days) (Fig. 9 a) with shortest sprout length (1.15 mm) (Fig. 9 b) and lowest weight loss (3.17%) (Fig. 9 c). Effect on endogenous starch, sucrose, fructose and glucose contents of tuber The starch contents decreased (10.17%) with the highest volt electric current (80 V). The sucrose (0.90%), fructose (0.25%), and glucose (0.83%) contents, on the other hand, were enhanced by electric current applied at 80 V (Table 4 ). Among genotypes, the maximum starch contents were recorded in FD8-1 (14.50%), while the minimum in PRI Red (8.27%) (Table 4 ). Alternatively, sucrose, fructose and glucose were found highest in PRI Red and lowest in FD73-49 (Table 4 ). There was a negative weak (r < − 0.25) correlation of starch contents with tuber dormancy period and a moderate (r ≥ − 0.45) correlation with sprout length and weight loss. However, tuber glucose, fructose, and sucrose contents had a strong positive correlation (r ≥ 0.8) with dormancy period, sprout length and weight loss. During three weeks of storage, starch contents decreased while sucrose, fructose and glucose contents increased (Table 4 ). Under electric current × storage period interaction, the highest volt electric current (80 V) decreased the starch contents by two folds (Fig. 8 d) and increased the sucrose (Fig. 8 e), fructose (Fig. 8 f), and glucose (Fig. 8 g) contents by 11.2%, 13.7%, and 11% correspondingly. Under the interactive effect of genotype × storage period, starch levels declined quicker in the short-term dormancy genotypes than in the moderate or long-term dormancy genotypes (Fig. 9 d). On the other hand, sucrose (Fig. 9 e), fructose (Fig. 9 f) and glucose (Fig. 9 g) contents were developed in small quantities in the tubers of PRI Red during first week in comparison with the contents during third week. Irradiation of tubers Effect on tuber dormancy period, sprout length and weight loss γ-rays, genotypes, storage periods and their interactions, irradiation × storage period and genotype × storage period had a significant ( P ≤ 0.05 ) effect on tuber dormancy period, sprout length, and weight loss (Table 5 ). The tuber weight loss was also affected by γ-rays × genotype and γ-rays × genotype × storage period (Table 5 ). The lowest dormancy period (24.5 days) was noted in the tubers treated with the highest dose of radiation (3.5 kGy) (Table 5 ). The highest sprout length (1.6 mm) and weight loss (2.1%) was also noticed in the tubers exposed to 3.5 kGy γ-rays. Among genotypes, PRI Red exhibited the shortest dormancy period (18.1 days), highest sprout length (3.32 mm) and weight loss (2.10%) whereas FD8-1 took the longest period (34.4 days) to dormancy breakage (Table 5 ), lowest sprout length (0.52 mm) and weight loss (1.67%). From first to the third week of storage, dormancy period decreased with increase in their sprout length and weight loss. Table 5 Effect of γ-radiations on tuber dormancy period, sprout length and weight loss of six potato genotypes in relation to endogenous changes occurred in starch, sucrose, fructose and glucose contents of tuber. Factors DP (days) SL WL (%) Starch (%) Sucrose Fructose (%) Glucose (%) (mm) (%) Irradiation (I) Control 27.8a 1.42b 1.90d 11.24a 0.799c 0.205c 0.720c 3.5 kGy 24.5e 1.60a 2.10a 10.75f 0.856a 0.228a 0.779a 3.0 kGy 26.1d 1.48b 2.02b 10.82e 0.822b 0.215b 0.746b 2.5 kGy 26.3cd 1.47b 1.92c 10.88d 0.815bc 0.211bc 0.739bc 2.0 kGy 26.9bc 1.42b 1.92c 10.95c 0.810bc 0.209bc 0.736bc 1.5 kGy 27.2ab 1.43b 1.90cd 11.08b 0.808bc 0.208c 0.731bcd 1.0 kGy 27.7a 1.42b 1.92cd 11.08b 0.802c 0.206c 0.726cd LSD I ( P ≤ 0.05 ) 0.73 0.086 0.025 0.007 0.015 0.006 0.016 Genotype (G) FD8-1 34.4a 0.52f 1.67e 14.77a 0.88c 0.20d 0.81c FD69-1 34.5a 0.61e 1.88d 12.80b 0.88c 0.23c 0.79c FD73-49 26.2c 1.31d 2.11a 11.01c 0.48e 0.12f 0.43e Sante 27.5b 1.43c 1.92c 10.04d 0.98b 0.28b 0.88b PRI Red 18.1e 3.32a 2.10a 8.29f 1.04a 0.30a 0.95a FD51-5 19.2d 1.60b 2.05b 8.96e 0.60d 0.13e 0.55d LSD G ( P ≤ 0.05 ) 0.67 0.080 0.023 0.007 0.014 0.005 0.015 Storage period (SP) Week 1 0.0b 0.00b 0.00b 12.05a 0.34b 0.08b 0.31b Week 3 53.3a 2.93a 3.92a 9.90b 1.28a 0.34a 1.16a LSD SP ( P ≤ 0.05 ) 0.39 0.046 0.012 0.004 0.008 0.003 0.008 LSD I × G ( P ≤ 0.05 ) NS NS 0.060 0.019 NS NS NS LSD I × SP ( P ≤ 0.05 ) 1.04 0.122 0.034 0.011 0.022 0.008 0.023 LSD G × SP ( P ≤ 0.05 ) 0.96 0.113 0.032 0.010 0.021 0.008 0.021 LSD I × G × SP ( P ≤ 0.05 ) NS NS 0.085 0.027 NS NS NS DP, dormancy period; SL, sprout length; WL, weight loss. NS, Non-significant at P ≤ 0.05 . Treatment means sharing same letter are non-significantly different. LSD, least significant difference. Under irradiation × storage period interaction, the dormancy period was significantly broken almost 6.5 days before in comparison with control when tubers were treated with 3.5 kGy γ-rays (Fig. 10 a). The tubers treated with 3.5 kGy γ-rays also gave 11.3% greater sprout length (Fig. 10 b) and 9.5% more weight loss (Fig. 10 c) than control tubers. Under genotype × storage period interaction, PRI Red advanced rapidly towards dormancy breakage (36.2 days) (Fig. 11 a) with production of longest sprout at week 3 (6.64 mm) (Fig. 11 b) due to rapid rate of decrease in starch contents and increase in sugars contents which resulted in a remarkable drop in its weight (4.2%) (Fig. 11 c). On the other hand, FD8-1 displayed the longest tuber dormancy period (68.9 days) (Fig. 11 a) with shortest sprout length (1.05 mm) (Fig. 11 b) and lowest weight loss (3.34%) (Fig. 11 c). Effect on endogenous starch, sucrose, fructose and glucose contents of tuber The starch, sucrose, fructose and glucose contents in the experimental tubers were significantly affected by γ-rays, genotypes, storage periods, and the two-way interactions of irradiation × storage period and genotype × storage period (Table 5 ). The contents of starch, sucrose, fructose, and glucose for γ-rays, genotypes, and storage periods are given in Table 5 . The starch contents were significantly decreased (10.75%) in the tubers treated with 3.5 kGy γ-rays (Table 5 ). The sucrose (0.856%), fructose (0.228%), and glucose (0.779%) contents of tubers, on the other hand, were found highest with 3.5 kGy γ-rays. Among genotypes, FD69-1 and FD8-1 exhibited the highest level of starch while PRI depicted the lowest level (Table 5 ). Alternatively, sucrose, fructose and glucose were found highest in PRI Red and lowest in FD73-49 (Table 5 ). There was a weak negative ( r < − 0.3 ) correlation of starch contents with tuber dormancy period and weight loss or moderate ( r ≥ − 0.45 ) correlation with sprout length. However, tuber glucose, fructose, and sucrose contents had a strong positive correlation ( r ≥ 0.8 ) with dormancy period, sprout length and weight loss. From first to third week of storage, starch contents declined while sucrose, fructose and glucose contents elevated (Table 5 ). Under irradiation × storage period interaction, the highest dose γ-rays (3.5 kGy) decreased the starch contents by 36.1% (Fig. 10 d) and increased the sucrose (Fig. 10 e), fructose (Fig. 10 f), and glucose (Fig. 10 g) contents by 8.3%, 9.7%, and 9.6% correspondingly. Under genotype × storage period interaction, starch contents reduced more quickly in the short-term dormancy genotypes than in the moderate or long-term dormancy genotypes (Fig. 11 d). On the other hand, sucrose (Fig. 11 e), fructose (Fig. 11 f) and glucose (Fig. 11 g) contents were developed in small quantities in the tubers of PRI Red during first week in comparison with the contents during third week. Discussion Pakistan's seed potato industry demands genotypes with variable tuber dormancy length to accommodate the growers' single or multiple cropping schedules 5 , 10 . Moreover, the use of dormancy breaking techniques provides even more flexibility in raising consecutive crops 6 . The use of chemicals to shorten tuber dormancy, such as thiourea, bromoethane, and rindite, has been extensively investigated, but these substances are hazardous to both humans and the environment 22 . It is therefore imperative to characterise the germplasm in order of their dormancy period, which either directly or indirectly controls the maturation time 37 and keeping quality 38 of potato crop; and devise an effective, safe, and environmentally acceptable technique for breaking seed-tuber dormancy to enable single or multiple cropping system 6 . Dormancy (G 0 phase) is induced in the tubers from the inhibition of the flow of reducing sugars, such as fructose and glucose, from the G 1 -to-S and G 2 -to-M transitions during the cell cycle, as a result no cell development takes place 28 . The similar findings were obtained in our study as the control tubers of all studied genotypes showed a growth arrest after one week of treatment in term of no dormancy breakage. This might be attributed to the less/ no production of reducing (fructose and glucose) and/or non-reducing (sucrose) sugars (Figs. 2 a, 4 a, 6 a, 8 a, 10 a). After week 3, short-term and moderate-term dormancy genotypes initiated sprouting which might be due to production of fructose and glucose as a result of starch conversion. In fact, dormancy induction is evolved by the tubers as a protective mechanism against unfavorable conditions 15 . This fact can be proved from the findings of Suttle 39 that the period of dormancy is inherently longer in wild genotypes in comparison to genotypes developed through modern breeding. The group Phureja of Solanum tuberosum is exempted from this fact, as their tubers have a short or no dormancy 40 . The application of cytokinin exogenously induces changes in the transport of endogenous nutrients and create sink regions to attract photosynthates. It has been suggested that the nutritional sink effect of benzylaminopurine (BAP), which is crucial for maintaining the G 1 -S and G 2 -M transitions in the plant cell, may be the cause of the shortening dormancy period. While the application of GA 3 causes the starch breakdown in tubers, since they are responsible for producing enzymes like amylase that assist in the conversion of starch into sugars through adjustments in intracellular compartmentation 41 . So, combining the application of both cytokinin and gibberellin will be more effective since cytokinins terminate dormancy and gibberellins will increase sprout growth. In this study, BAP performed best at 60 mgL − 1 in lowering dormancy period (18.4 days) while GA3 at 20 mgL − 1 for sprout length (2.05 mm) (Table 1 ). The combination of both BAP and GA 3 at their best levels showed the synergistic effect by quickly breaking the dormancy (18 days) and producing longer sprouts (2.08 mm) as compared to their induvial applications (Table 2 ). Similar results were obtained by Claassens and Vreugdenhil 41 and Njogu et al. 42 who compared the individual and combined effect of BAP and GA 3 on potato tuber dormancy and sprout length and found the decisive role of cytokinin in terminating dormancy and that of GA 3 in encouraging sprout length. Little soluble sugars are present in the resting buds, but as soon sprouting begins, α- and β-amylases emerge in the tubers which starts converting starch into soluble sugars in the sub-eye regions, to maintain the sprout growth 43 . In fact, the soaking of potato tubers in GA 3 solution increases the endogenous concentrations of GAs, which affects the production of amylase, that in turn affects the starch breakdown and accelerates sprout outgrowth. Elevation in the contents of soluble sugars at dormancy break suggested that sucrose release into buds is essential for initiation of sprouting. Low sucrose levels in the buds may act as a signal to regulate parenchymal starch transport 44 . There is a noticeable decrease in starch contents, which can be related to the buildup of soluble sugars at sprouting 45 . As in our study, there were comparatively higher starch and lower sucrose, fructose and glucose contents before commencement of sprouting. After third week of PGRs, as sprouting started, starch contents decreased and sucrose, fructose and glucose contents increased (Tables 1 , 2 ). The sugars developed at commencement of sprouting might be utilized by the growing sprouts as earlier reported by Haider et al. 10 . With the growth of sprouts, weight loss increases in tubers as a strong correlation exists between weight loss and sprout length and numbers. In this study the combined application of optimized levels of BAP and GA 3 resulted in quicker dormancy break, more sprout growth and more weight loss as earlier indicated by Pande et al. 14 . In potatoes, low or high temperature shock shortens the tuber dormancy 46 . In this study, the effect of cold pre-treatment on tuber dormancy period and sprout length was found substantial when compared with the control. The findings are in line with those of Muthoni et al. 47 who discovered that a 2°C cold pre-treatment of tubers reduced the length of dormancy by 14 days in long-term dormancy cultivars. The findings of the present study disagree with the earlier reports which showed that cold pre-treatment has no significant influence on dormancy period of short-term dormancy cultivars 31 , 48 . The shortening of tuber dormancy may be attributed to disruption of membrane by low temperature which resulted in electrolyte leakage and subcellular compartmentation. The effect of electric current on tuber dormancy, sprout length and weight loss in relation to changes in endogenous starch and sugar contents has never been documented before. The significant differences observed among genotypes for dormancy period and sprout length under the effect of electric current are consistent with the findings of Haider et al. 10 and Kocacaliskan 29 who noted a decrease in dormancy days and increase in sprout length as storage time advanced. Although, Kocacaliskan 29 did not find any significant effect of interactions. The increase in sprouting might be due to stimulating effect of electric current on GAs synthesis, which in turn, enhanced the starch break down into sugars through developing α- and β-amylases; hence caused a quick sprout outgrowth 49 . Electric current application promoted the movement of food reserves from parenchyma tissues to the eyes of the tuber which are used by the sprout for further development. There is no report to date to shorten tuber dormancy through irradiation although a lot of material has been published on extension of tuber dormancy. γ-rays are the most disruptive form of electromagnetic radiations 50 . Higher doses of γ-rays can enhance the sugar contents through disrupting the hormonal levels in the tubers. As a result, both reducing and non-reducing sugars start developing. Reducing sugars are utilized by the growing sprout. However, the lower doses of γ-rays have no significant influence on dormancy breakage. According to the present investigation, there were significant differences in starch, sucrose, fructose, and glucose contents between genotypes and storage times in response to the highest dose (3.5 kGy). Conclusions Managing potato tuber dormancy in order to optimise the seed storage and to ensure its availability round the year has now become essential. The potato varieties cultivated in Pakistan typically retain a dormancy period of 2–3 months following harvest, preventing cultivation of spring crop after autumn harvest and autumn crop after summer harvest. In order to enable multiple cropping, Pakistan would need to produce varieties with dormancy of approximately less than two months rather than relying on autumn-autumn seed storage practices. Therefore, based on the time difference between crops, growers may prefer genotypes with a wide range of dormancy. The application of several dormancy-breaking techniques (chemicals, cold pre-treatment, electric current, and radiations) on tubers increases planting flexibility for a succeeding crop. The treatment of tubers with PGRs i.e., soaking in 60 mgL − 1 BAP and 20 mgL − 1 GA3 produced the best results in term of quickest dormancy breakage and sprout development and is practically realistic approach only when tubers are mechanically cut to expose parenchyma tissues of potatoes to PGRs’ solutions. Furthermore, the role of endogenous starch during dormancy progression clearly shows that starch concentration was highest initially and declined with the passage of time. Alternatively, reducing (glucose and fructose) and non-reducing (sucrose) sugars were lowest at the start of dormancy and increased with time. In further work, the authors recommend more research into the effects of various dormancy breaking techniques on the emergence, growth, and yield of the potato crop. Declarations Ethics approval and consent to participate : Not applicable. Research Guidelines It is stated that the research complies with relevant institutional, national, and international guidelines and legislation. Consent for publication: Not applicable. Availability of data and materials: All data generated or analyzed during this study are included in this published article and may also be requested from the corresponding authors. Competing interest: The authors declare that they have no competing interests. Acknowledgments Funds for this research were provided by the Higher Education Commission, Pakistan, and seed material by the Potato Research Institute, Sahiwal. Endogenous starch, sucrose, fructose and glucose contents were analysed at the Hi-Tech laboratory, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan. Dr. Kathleen Haynes (Former Research Geneticist, USDA, Beltsville, Maryland, USA) assisted in the statistical analyses of experimental data. Author Contributions Conceptualization, M.W.H. and M.N.; Data curation, R.I., G.S., J.I., and H.U.A; Formal analysis, M.W.H., M.N., S.Y. M.H.R and F.A.; Funding acquisition, M.A and M.H.R. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript. Competing interests The authors declare no competing interests. References FAOSTAT. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations database. Available at: http://faostat.fao.org/ (2021). Nurmanov, Y. T., Chernenok, V. G. & Kuzdanova, R. S. Potato in response to nitrogen nutrition regime and nitrogen fertilization. Field Crops Res. 231 , 115–121 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fcr.2018.11.014 . MNFSR. Ministry of National Food Security and Research, Agricultural Statistics, Economic Wing, Government of Pakistan, Islamabad. Available at: http://www.mnfsr.gov.pk/ (2021). Bashir, K. M., Ali, A., Farrukh, M.U. & Alam, M. 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For. 3, 192–201 (2015). Rentzsch, S., Podzimska, D., Voegele, A., Imbeck, M., Müller, K., Linkies, A. & Leubner-Metzger, G. Dose and tissue specific interaction of monoterpenes with the gibberellin mediated release of potato tuber bud dormancy, sprout growth and induction of α-amylases and β-amylases. Planta 235 , 137–151 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00425-011-1501-1 . Hajirezaei, M.R., Börnke, F., Peisker, M., Takahata, Y., Lerchl, J., Kirakosyan, A. & Sonnewald, U. Decreased sucrose content triggers starch breakdown and respiration in stored potato tubers ( Solanum tuberosum ). J. Exp. Bot. 54 , 477–488 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1093/jxb/erg040 . Viola, R., Pelloux, J., Van der Pleog, A., Gillespie, T., Marquis, N., Roberts, A. G., Hanco, R. D. Symplastic connection is required for bud outgrowth following dormancy in potato ( Solanum tuberosum L.) tubers. Plant Cell Environ. 30 , 973–983 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-3040.2007.01692.x . Wiltshire, J. J. J.; Cobb, A. H. A review of the physiology of potato tuber dormancy. Ann. of Appl. Biol. 129 , 553–569 (1996). Muthoni, J., Kabira, J., Shimelis, H. & Melis, R. Regulation of potato tuber dormancy: A review. Aust. J. Crop Sci. 8 , 754–759 (2014). Van Loon, C. D. Effect of physiological age on growth vigour of seed potatoes of two cultivars. 4. Influence of storage period and storage temperature on growth and yield in the field. Potato Res. 30 , 441–450 (1987). Mishra, A. K. Biomolecular characterization of impact of weak electric field on the plant system. Indian J. Scientific Res. 6 , 25–29 (2015). Kovacs, E. & Keresztes, A. Effect of gamma and UV-B/C radiation on plant cells. Micron 33 , 199–210 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1016/S0968-4328(01)00012-9 . Additional Declarations No competing interests reported. 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Also discoverable on Platform About Our Team In Review Editorial Policies Advisory Board Help Center Resources Author Services Accessibility API Access RSS feed Manage Cookie Preferences © Research Square 2026 | ISSN 2693-5015 (online) Privacy Policy Terms of Service Do Not Sell My Personal Information {"props":{"pageProps":{"initialData":{"identity":"rs-2394606","acceptedTermsAndConditions":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"archivedVersions":[],"articleType":"Article","associatedPublications":[],"authors":[{"id":163124039,"identity":"59d9cd68-1ccc-47f9-a0d8-9d1578da70e5","order_by":0,"name":"Muhammad Wasim 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The treatment means sharing the same letter are non-significant (\u003cem\u003eP\u0026gt;0 .05\u003c/em\u003e) according to the least significant difference test. The vertical bars represent the standard error of means (n: 3).\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"floatimage3.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-2394606/v1/9db8f1f4f23439aeda0a7dcd.png"},{"id":31104862,"identity":"1f619331-3aa1-4bd7-b8e6-f194b8a6b9cf","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2023-01-04 16:59:14","extension":"jpeg","order_by":3,"title":"Figure 3","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":79508,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003eInteractive effect of \u003cem\u003egenotype × storage period\u003c/em\u003e on tuber dormancy period (a), sprout length (b), weight loss (c), starch (d), sucrose (e), fructose (f), and glucose contents (g) of six potato genotypes subjected to BAP and GA\u003csub\u003e3\u003c/sub\u003e solutions. The treatment means sharing the same letter are non-significant (\u003cem\u003eP\u0026gt;0 .05\u003c/em\u003e) according to the least significant difference test. The vertical bars represent the standard error of means (n: 3).\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"floatimage4.jpeg","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-2394606/v1/a746bcc131deedfd12001430.jpeg"},{"id":31106036,"identity":"b35b4c85-cd1b-429d-92da-5813a00307fe","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2023-01-04 17:15:14","extension":"png","order_by":4,"title":"Figure 4","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":29000,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003eInteractive effect of \u003cem\u003etreatment × storage period\u003c/em\u003e on tuber dormancy period (a), sprout length (b), weight loss (c), starch (d), sucrose (e), fructose (f), and glucose contents (g) of six potato genotypes subjected to optimized solutions BAP and GA\u003csub\u003e3\u003c/sub\u003e alone and in combination. The treatment means sharing the same letter are non-significant (\u003cem\u003eP\u0026gt;0 .05\u003c/em\u003e) according to the least significant difference test. The vertical bars represent the standard error of means (n: 3).\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"floatimage5.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-2394606/v1/26785ab2bf31a22cfd2fa866.png"},{"id":31105665,"identity":"a62e7bae-0f31-4381-aacc-6d1bc6f83892","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2023-01-04 17:07:14","extension":"jpeg","order_by":5,"title":"Figure 5","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":71947,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003eInteractive effect of \u003cem\u003egenotype × storage period\u003c/em\u003e on tuber dormancy period (a), sprout length (b), weight loss (c), starch (d), sucrose (e), fructose (f), and glucose contents (g) of six potato genotypes subjected to optimized solutions BAP and GA3 alone and in combination. The treatment means sharing the same letter are non-significant (\u003cem\u003eP\u0026gt;0 .05\u003c/em\u003e) according to the least significant difference test. The vertical bars represent the standard error of means (n: 3).\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"floatimage6.jpeg","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-2394606/v1/5233fede144faeb08da78961.jpeg"},{"id":31105660,"identity":"eae32992-5aae-4c7b-808f-7f720aeea86e","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2023-01-04 17:07:14","extension":"png","order_by":6,"title":"Figure 6","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":34944,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003eInteractive effect of \u003cem\u003etemperature × storage period\u003c/em\u003e on tuber dormancy period (a), sprout length (b), weight loss (c), starch (d), sucrose (e), fructose (f), and glucose contents (g) of six potato genotypes cold stored at low temperature. The treatment means sharing the same letter are non-significant (P\u0026gt;0 .05) according to the least significant difference test. The vertical bars represent the standard error of means (n: 3).\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"floatimage7.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-2394606/v1/001b41dcba9333374df461a8.png"},{"id":31106038,"identity":"83e85b71-dc07-415d-b8cb-d19ea5e080b4","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2023-01-04 17:15:14","extension":"png","order_by":7,"title":"Figure 7","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":38741,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003eInteractive effect of \u003cem\u003egenotype × storage period\u003c/em\u003e on tuber dormancy period (a), sprout length (b), weight loss (c), starch (d), sucrose (e), fructose (f), and glucose contents (g) of six potato genotypes cold stored at low temperature. The treatment means sharing the same letter are non-significant (P\u0026gt;0 .05) according to the least significant difference test. The vertical bars represent the standard error of means (n: 3).\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"floatimage8.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-2394606/v1/077d6f980449015992a98e89.png"},{"id":31104865,"identity":"17e37762-c734-4299-8abf-de8253e89ef4","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2023-01-04 16:59:14","extension":"png","order_by":8,"title":"Figure 8","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":35217,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003eInteractive effect of \u003cem\u003eelectric current × storage period\u003c/em\u003e on tuber dormancy period (a), sprout length (b), weight loss (c), starch (d), sucrose (e), fructose (f), and glucose contents (g) of six potato genotypes treated with electric current. The treatment means sharing the same letter are non-significant (P\u0026gt;0 .05) according to the least significant difference test. The vertical bars represent the standard error of means (n: 3).\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"floatimage9.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-2394606/v1/06a43c870dd9d673fb6ad233.png"},{"id":31106721,"identity":"aaa2a418-2ad6-4029-89d4-114b516eb51c","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2023-01-04 17:23:14","extension":"png","order_by":9,"title":"Figure 9","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":38106,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003eInteractive effect of \u003cem\u003egenotype × storage period\u003c/em\u003e on tuber dormancy period (a), sprout length (b), weight loss (c), starch (d), sucrose (e), fructose (f), and glucose contents (g) of six potato genotypes treated with electric current. The treatment means sharing the same letter are non-significant (\u003cem\u003eP\u0026gt;0 .05\u003c/em\u003e) according to the least significant difference test. The vertical bars represent the standard error of means (n: 3).\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"floatimage10.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-2394606/v1/286a0e2cdb63ba61ed567779.png"},{"id":31104869,"identity":"11aef398-109e-4853-9513-25cab70d79fe","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2023-01-04 16:59:14","extension":"png","order_by":10,"title":"Figure 10","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":50475,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003eInteractive effect of \u003cem\u003eirradiation × storage period\u003c/em\u003e on tuber dormancy period (a), sprout length (b), weight loss (c), starch (d), sucrose (e), fructose (f), and glucose contents (g) of six potato genotypes exposed to γ-rays. The treatment means sharing the same letter are non-significant (\u003cem\u003eP\u0026gt;0 .05\u003c/em\u003e) according to the least significant difference test. The vertical bars represent the standard error of means (n: 3).\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"floatimage11.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-2394606/v1/0937f738aca330ebb410b263.png"},{"id":31104870,"identity":"ce09c56d-3780-4a27-adff-774024f59b5c","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2023-01-04 16:59:14","extension":"jpeg","order_by":11,"title":"Figure 11","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":91269,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003eInteractive effect of genotype × Storage period on tuber dormancy period (a), sprout length (b), weight loss (c), starch (d), sucrose (e), fructose (f), and glucose contents (g) of six potato genotypes exposed to γ-rays. The treatment means sharing the same letter are non-significant (P\u0026gt;0 .05) according to the least significant difference test. The vertical bars represent the standard error of means (n: 3).\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"floatimage12.jpeg","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-2394606/v1/d47de6343a5d6c98c5450822.jpeg"},{"id":42948053,"identity":"00363a4f-f9fa-4478-abd2-83649cdc018b","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2023-09-11 15:12:27","extension":"pdf","order_by":0,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"manuscript-pdf","size":1404501,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"manuscript.pdf","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-2394606/v1/bd989859-21a5-4d1e-ae8e-bc3862fdcc99.pdf"},{"id":31105663,"identity":"cc34bf6e-16fe-4803-bf7d-068a6ca956d2","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2023-01-04 17:07:14","extension":"jpg","order_by":1,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"supplement","size":215756,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"Graphicalabstract.jpg","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-2394606/v1/c16e4c929607f5eddef722a0.jpg"}],"financialInterests":"No competing interests reported.","formattedTitle":"Postharvest starch and sugars adjustment in potato tubers of wide-ranging dormancy genotypes subjected to various sprout forcing techniques","fulltext":[{"header":"Introduction","content":"\u003cp\u003ePotato stands first among non-grain and fourth among grain food crops, all over the world, in acreage as well as production\u003csup\u003e\u003cspan citationid=\"CR1\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e. Due to short growing period, potato offers a quicker crop than cereals or legumes and also produce more food calorie per unit by using less water compared to either rice or wheat\u003csup\u003e\u003cspan citationid=\"CR2\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e. In Pakistan, potato is grown on approximately 185.4 thousand hectares with an approximate yearly production of 4552.7 thousand tonnes, at an average of 24.6-ton ha\u003csup\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;1\u003c/sup\u003e a comparatively low average yield\u003csup\u003e\u003cspan citationid=\"CR3\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e3\u003c/span\u003e,\u003cspan citationid=\"CR4\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e4\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e. This low yield can be attributed to poor-quality seed\u003csup\u003e\u003cspan citationid=\"CR5\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e5\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e. One of the major reasons of the declined quality seed in Pakistan is long-term storage of seed potato\u003csup\u003e\u003cspan citationid=\"CR6\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e6\u003c/span\u003e,\u003cspan citationid=\"CR7\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e7\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e by depending on autumn-to-autumn cycle for the seed\u003csup\u003e\u003cspan citationid=\"CR8\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e8\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003ePotato is cultivated round the year in Pakistan. As the main crop is autumn crop (mid-Sep to mid-Dec) and accounts for 80\u0026ndash;85% of the entire production, followed by the spring (1st Jan to 1st April) and summer (1st May to mid-Aug) crops, accounting for 10\u0026ndash;15% and 1\u0026ndash;2% of the production, respectively\u003csup\u003e\u003cspan citationid=\"CR9\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e9\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e. But, after harvest, the tubers of potato enter a phase of deep dormancy for a specific period of time\u003csup\u003e\u003cspan citationid=\"CR10\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e10\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e. Dormancy is a developmental stage in which sprouting will not occur even under promising ecological conditions\u003csup\u003e\u003cspan citationid=\"CR11\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e11\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e. As a result, the spring and summer harvests cannot be utilized as seed for the next summer and autumn crops. Likewise, the seed harvested in the autumn could not be sown to the next spring and summer crops. The economic period of dormancy differs from country to country depending on the cropping pattern. The time between harvesting and sowing subsequent crops is very short (\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;1 month) in Pakistan, hence, diminishing the scope of multiple cropping. The availability of short-term dormancy genotypes or/and effective and safe-to-use dormancy breaking technique can enable the growers to get two or three crops a year.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eAs seed tubers are the living entities, and respire during storage, so lose their weights and hence the quality\u003csup\u003e\u003cspan citationid=\"CR12\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e12\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e. The percentage of tuber weight loss is considerably genotype and storage environment dependent\u003csup\u003e\u003cspan citationid=\"CR13\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e13\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e. Tubers with sprouts lose more weight compared to unsprouted ones since there is a significant relationship between sprout growth and weight loss\u003csup\u003e\u003cspan citationid=\"CR14\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e14\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e. Potato comprises approximately 68% starch of the total tuber dry matter which indicates a high demand for carbohydrates\u003csup\u003e\u003cspan citationid=\"CR15\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e15\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e. The contents of tuber starch, sucrose, fructose and glucose substantially depend on growth and development stage\u003csup\u003e\u003cspan citationid=\"CR16\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e16\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e. During the tuberization, massive buildup of starch occurs in the tubers with the highest sucrose, fructose, and glucose contents\u003csup\u003e\u003cspan citationid=\"CR17\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e17\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e, and as they mature physiologically these contents tend to decline\u003csup\u003e\u003cspan citationid=\"CR18\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e18\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e. According to previous studies, immature tubers contain 0.2 to 1.5% sucrose and 0.01 to 0.7% reducing sugars\u003csup\u003e\u003cspan citationid=\"CR19\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e19\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e, while mature tubers contain 0.1 to 0.6% sucrose and 0.04 to 0.4% reducing sugars\u003csup\u003e\u003cspan citationid=\"CR18\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e18\u003c/span\u003e,\u003cspan citationid=\"CR20\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e20\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e. A rapid accumulation of soluble sugars occurs during instinct dormancy breakage\u003csup\u003e\u003cspan citationid=\"CR21\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e21\u003c/span\u003e,\u003cspan citationid=\"CR22\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e22\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e. Although their exact levels in genotypes are still unknown.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe dormancy breakage can also be governed by various dormancy breaking approaches\u003csup\u003e\u003cspan citationid=\"CR23\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e23\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e. The most popular techniques include use of various chemicals such as carbon disulfide\u003csup\u003e\u003cspan citationid=\"CR24\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e24\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e, bromoethane\u003csup\u003e\u003cspan citationid=\"CR25\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e25\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e, rindite\u003csup\u003e\u003cspan citationid=\"CR26\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e26\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e, and thiourea\u003csup\u003e\u003cspan citationid=\"CR27\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e27\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e. However, they are either inefficient or harmful to both people and the environment. The ecofriendly and harmless techniques are always preferred for sustainable agriculture. The application of plant growth regulators (PGRs) in low quantities, cold pre-treatment, electric current and irradiation are reported to terminate tuber dormancy and stimulate sprouting in potatoes, and are also safe-to-use for humans. Combined applications of BAP and GA\u003csub\u003e3\u003c/sub\u003e could be advantageous as BAP being a cytokinin terminates the tuber dormancy by attracting assimilates while GA\u003csub\u003e3\u003c/sub\u003e is responsible for mobilization of assimilates for sprout growth\u003csup\u003e\u003cspan citationid=\"CR28\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e28\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e. Electric current breaks tuber dormancy by inducing GA\u003csub\u003e3\u003c/sub\u003e production when employed at a certain voltage\u003csup\u003e\u003cspan citationid=\"CR10\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e10\u003c/span\u003e,\u003cspan citationid=\"CR29\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e29\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e. Cold shock and γ-rays are known to affect the sugar levels of potato tubers. The reducing and non-reducing sugars both inevitably rose within a week of exposure to radiations as earlier reported by Haider et al.\u003csup\u003e\u003cspan citationid=\"CR10\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e10\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e and Amjad et al.\u003csup\u003e\u003cspan citationid=\"CR30\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e30\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e which were then utilized by the growing sprout. Although, the exact levels of starch and sugars at dormancy breakage in response to various dormancy breaking techniques are undefined yet. Understanding these endogenous changes in the tuber may help to choose a suitable dormancy breaking technique based on available resources to force the sprouting in potatoes for their use as seed.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Materials And Methods","content":"\u003cdiv id=\"Sec3\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003ePlant materials\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eSix potato (\u003cem\u003eSolanum tuberosum\u003c/em\u003e L.) genotypes screened out of 22 containing three red (FD8-1, FD73-49, and PRI Red) and white skin genotypes (FD69-1, Sante, and FD51-5) (Fig.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig1\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e), were acquired from Potato Research Institute (PRI) of Sahiwal in Pakistan\u003csup\u003e\u003cspan citationid=\"CR6\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e6\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e. Based on their dormancy behaviour, only healthy tubers were chosen from each genotype for the study of dormancy period, sprout length, weight loss, starch, sucrose, fructose, and glucose contents; excluding the damaged, diseased, or misshapen tubers, after application of various dormancy breaking techniques given in detail below.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec4\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003eApplication of dormancy breaking techniques\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eDuring March-2018, tubers from the PRI, Sahiwal were collected 10 days after harvesting. Tubers were immersed in benzylaminopurine (BAP) solutions of 90, 60, or 30 mgL\u003csup\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;1\u003c/sup\u003e and gibberellic acid (GA\u003csub\u003e3\u003c/sub\u003e) solutions of 30, 20, or 10 mgL\u003csup\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;1\u003c/sup\u003e for 24 hours in order to optimize their concentrations. The tubers were then immersed in the PGRs\u0026rsquo; solutions of their optimized concentrations to evaluate their cumulative effect on dormancy breakage and subsequent sprouting. Tubers were immersed in distilled water as a control. Each treatment was repeated thrice and 30 tubers were utilized in every replication. The parenchyma tissues of potato were exposed to PGRs\u0026rsquo; solutions by making a tiny cut (10 mm depth \u0026times; 15 mm length) due to impermeability of potato skin to chemicals\u003csup\u003e\u003cspan citationid=\"CR10\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e10\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e. After treatment, the tubers were kept at room temperature (23.8\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.0\u0026deg;C) until sprouting.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eSecondly, tubers were packed in perforated cardboard boxes and transported to the Ayyub Agricultural Research Institute's Postharvest Research Centre for low temperature treatment. The tubers were kept in storage for four days under various low temperature conditions, including 6\u0026deg;C, 4\u0026deg;C, 2\u0026deg;C, and control.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eTubers were subjected to electric current (80 V, 60 V, 40 V, or 20 V) for 24 hours by having needles (of hand-made electric stimulator) inserted 15 mm into the flesh at the tubers\u0026rsquo; stem and apical ends. In control tubers, needles were injected but without electric current. After being treated, the tubers were kept at room temperature.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eFor evaluation of the impact of γ-rays on tuber starch and sugars contents, a 137Cs source with a radiation output of 1 kGy/1.5 hr was utilized at the Nuclear Institute of Agriculture and Biology (NIAB) in Faisalabad.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eAll the above experiments were arranged according to completely randomized design (CRD) in factorial settings.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec5\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003eData collection\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec6\" class=\"Section3\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003eMeasurement of dormancy duration and sprout length\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eSix tubers in each replication were used to measure the dormancy time and sprout length on a daily basis. The dormancy was considered to be broken when the tubers' sprouts gained a length of 2 mm\u003csup\u003e\u003cspan citationid=\"CR10\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e10\u003c/span\u003e,\u003cspan citationid=\"CR31\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e31\u003c/span\u003e,\u003cspan citationid=\"CR32\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e32\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e. The length of sprout was taken with a measuring scale.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec7\" class=\"Section3\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003eDetermination of tuber weight loss\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eTuber weight loss was calculated by the formula given below. In which, \u0026ldquo;T0\u0026rdquo; represents the initial weight of tubers following the harvest, while \u0026ldquo;T\u0026rdquo; represents the final weight of tubers following three-week storage. The finial values were calculated by taking the mean of three replicates. The selected tubers were labelled for each genotype and weighed using an electronic balance (DM-01, ScaleTech, Beijing, China)\u003cdiv id=\"Equa\" class=\"Equation\"\u003e\u003cdiv format=\"TEX\" class=\"mathdisplay\" id=\"FileID_Equa\" name=\"EquationSource\"\u003e\n$$\\text{T}\\text{u}\\text{b}\\text{e}\\text{r} \\text{w}\\text{e}\\text{i}\\text{g}\\text{h}\\text{t} \\text{l}\\text{o}\\text{s}\\text{s} \\left(\\text{\\%}\\right)=\\frac{T₀-T}{T₀} \\times 100$$\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec8\" class=\"Section3\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003eDetermination of starch contents in tubers\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eStarch estimation was carried out by anthrone reagent\u003csup\u003e\u003cspan citationid=\"CR33\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e33\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e. A fresh sample weighing 0.5 g was homogenized in hot 80% ethanol and centrifuged at 10,000 rpm for 20 min. The residue was then mixed with 5 ml of water and 6.5 ml of perchloric acid, and it was then refrigerated for 20 min at 2\u0026deg;C. The leftover material was again centrifuged, and the supernatant was saved for examination. The final volume was increased to 100 ml, and distilled water was used to dilute it in a ratio of 1:5. Each test tube received 4 ml of the anthrone reagent, which was then heated in a boiling water bath for around 8 min. The content was rapidly cooled. A UV-Vis spectrophotometer (2326K, Hermle Labortechnik GmbH, Wehingen, Germany) was used to measure the absorbance of the collected supernatant at 630 nm. The starch contents of the fresh potato samples were determined using a series of glucose working standards solutions (20\u0026ndash;100 \u0026micro;g mL\u003csup\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;1\u003c/sup\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec9\" class=\"Section3\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003eQuantification of endogenous sugar contents in tubers\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eSugar levels were quantified using HPLC one week and three weeks after the treatment of tubers\u003csup\u003e\u003cspan citationid=\"CR34\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e34\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e. A 20 g sample of the tuber was extracted for 10 minutes in 40 ml of distilled water with a magnetic stirrer to dissolve the sugars. After that, the extracts were centrifuged for 10 minutes at 13000\u0026times;g to separate the supernatants. Each sample was filtered through a 0.45 \u0026micro;m membrane filter prior to HPLC analysis\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec10\" class=\"Section3\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003eSettings for Liquid chromatography (LC)\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eLC separation was carried out at room temperature on a RazexTM RCM-Monosaccharidses Ca\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;2 - Phenomenex. The mobile phase was 100% double-distilled water. HPLC was connected to a refractive index detector (ReID) RID-10 AL (Shimadzu, Japan). The column temperature was 25\u0026deg;C. The injection volume and flow rate were 20 \u0026micro;l and 1 ml min-1, respectively. Detected quantities of sugars were determined from peak areas of external standards consisting of sucrose (1%), fructose (1%), and glucose (1%) solutions\u003csup\u003e\u003cspan citationid=\"CR35\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e35\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e. Results were expressed as percentage of dry weight.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec11\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003eStatistical analyses\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eAll data were subjected to a three-way analysis of variance (genotype, treatment, and storage period) using Statistix9\u0026reg; software (Analytical Software, Tallahassee, USA). Results are interpreted as the relative contribution of genotype, treatment, storage period, and their interactions by calculating the percentage of total variance from the corresponding sum of squares\u003csup\u003e\u003cspan citationid=\"CR36\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e36\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e. For mean comparisons of main effects for genotype, treatment, storage period, and their interactions at \u003cem\u003eP\u0026thinsp;\u0026le;\u0026thinsp;0.05\u003c/em\u003e, the least significant difference (LSD) test was applied. The Pearson's correlation analysis was performed by the general linear model procedure in SAS, version 9.2 (Cary, NC).\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e"},{"header":"Results","content":"\u003cdiv id=\"Sec13\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003eScreening Trial\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThere were significant differences in the post-harvest dormancy period among the original 22 genotypes evaluated in the screening trial\u003csup\u003e\u003cspan citationid=\"CR6\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e6\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e. From these, three distinct groups were chosen based on their dormancy behavior. Short-term dormancy genotypes included PRI Red and FD51-5; medium-term dormancy genotypes included FD73-49 and Sante, while FD8-1 and FD69-1 were classified as long-term dormancy genotypes. Each group contained one red and one white skin genotype since consumers in the country (Pakistan) prefer and consume these two colors of tubers equally.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec14\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003eIndividual application of PGRs and their optimization\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec15\" class=\"Section3\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003eEffect on tuber dormancy period, sprout length and weight loss\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003ePGRs, genotypes, storage periods and their interactions had a significant (\u003cem\u003eP\u0026thinsp;\u0026le;\u0026thinsp;0.05\u003c/em\u003e) effect on tuber dormancy period, sprout length, and weight loss (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab1\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e). Among PGRs, 60 mgL\u003csup\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;1\u003c/sup\u003e solution of BAP shortened the tuber dormancy period most effectively, in all genotypes, whereas, 20 mgL\u003csup\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;1\u003c/sup\u003e of GA\u003csub\u003e3\u003c/sub\u003e was the most effective in increasing sprout length, respectively (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab1\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e). The highest weight loss (2.17%) was also noted in the tubers soaked in 60 mgL\u003csup\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;1\u003c/sup\u003e solution of BAP, followed by those soaked in 20 mgL\u003csup\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;1\u003c/sup\u003e of GA\u003csub\u003e3\u003c/sub\u003e. Among genotypes, PRI Red exhibited the shortest dormancy period (13.7 days) (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab1\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e) and FD8-1 took the longest period (30.9 days) to dormancy breakage. With the increase in storage period, dormancy period reduced and sprout growth and weight loss increased (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab1\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab1\" border=\"1\"\u003e \u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 1\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eEffect of PGRs on tuber dormancy period, sprout length and weight loss of six potato genotypes in relation to endogenous changes occurred in starch, sucrose, fructose and glucose contents of tuber.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/caption\u003e \u003ccolgroup cols=\"9\"\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c5\" colnum=\"5\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c6\" colnum=\"6\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c7\" colnum=\"7\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c8\" colnum=\"8\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c9\" colnum=\"9\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cthead\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eFactors\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eDP\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e(days)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSL\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eWL\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e(%)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eStarch\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e(%)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSucrose\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eFructose\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e(%)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eGlucose\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e(%)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e(mm)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e(%)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/thead\u003e \u003ctbody\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eTreatment (T)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eControl\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e27.9a\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.36f\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.95e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e11.76a\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.80e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.214d\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.741d\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e(mgL-1)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eBAP 90\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e21.3d\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.64d\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.03c\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e11.59b\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.86b\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.228b\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.780b\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eBAP 60\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e18.4f\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.76c\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.17a\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e11.07e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.93a\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.257a\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.864a\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eBAP 30\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e24.5b\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.54e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.98d\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e11.49c\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.82cde\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.216cd\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.764c\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eGA3 30\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e22.9c\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.82c\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.88d\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e11.38d\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.81de\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.215d\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.746d\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eGA3 20\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e20.3e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.05a\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.07b\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e10.91f\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.83c\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.220c\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.763c\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eGA3 10\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e22.8c\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.92b\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.01c\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e11.50c\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.83cd\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.221c\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.766bc\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eLSD T (P\u0026thinsp;\u0026le;\u0026thinsp;0.05)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.58\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.082\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.022\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.064\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.016\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.004\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.014\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eGenotype (G)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eFD8-1\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e30.9a\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.9e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.71e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e14.92b\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.87d\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.21d\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.82d\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eFD69-1\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e29.6b\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.1d\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.79d\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e14.68a\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.92c\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.23c\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.84c\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eFD73-49\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e21.5d\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.7b\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.15b\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e11.45c\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.50f\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.12f\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.45f\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSante\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e22.6c\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.6c\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.10c\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e10.71d\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.01b\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.29b\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.92b\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ePRI Red\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e13.7f\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3.4a\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.23a\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e7.81f\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.08a\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.32a\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.00a\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eFD51-5\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e17.1e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.7bc\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.15b\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e8.73e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.65e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.14e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.59e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eLSD G (P\u0026thinsp;\u0026le;\u0026thinsp;0.05)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.53\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.077\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.020\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.060\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.015\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.004\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.013\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eStorage period (SP)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eWeek 1\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.0b\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.00b\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.00b\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e12.17a\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.35b\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.09b\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.32b\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eWeek 3\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e45.1a\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3.47a\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.05a\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e10.61b\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.33a\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.35a\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.22a\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eLSD SP (P\u0026thinsp;\u0026le;\u0026thinsp;0.05)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.31\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.044\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.012\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.034\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.008\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.002\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.007\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eLSD T \u0026times; G (P\u0026thinsp;\u0026le;\u0026thinsp;0.05)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.41\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.203\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.053\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.159\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNS\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNS\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNS\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eLSD T \u0026times; SP (P\u0026thinsp;\u0026le;\u0026thinsp;0.05)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.82\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.117\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.031\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.056\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.023\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.006\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.020\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eLSD G \u0026times; SP (P\u0026thinsp;\u0026le;\u0026thinsp;0.05)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.76\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.108\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.029\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.051\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.021\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.006\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.019\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eLSD T \u0026times; G \u0026times; SP (P\u0026thinsp;\u0026le;\u0026thinsp;0.05)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.99\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.287\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.075\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.225\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNS\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNS\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNS\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/tbody\u003e \u003c/colgroup\u003e \u003ctfoot\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd colspan=\"9\"\u003eDP, dormancy period; SL, sprout length; WL, weight loss; BAP, benzylaminopurine; GA3, gibberellic acid.\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd colspan=\"9\"\u003eNS, Non-significant at P\u0026thinsp;\u0026le;\u0026thinsp;0.05. Treatment means sharing same letter are non-significantly different. LSD, least significant difference.\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/tfoot\u003e \u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eUnder \u003cem\u003ePGRs \u0026times; storage period\u003c/em\u003e interaction, BAP showed a significant effect on all experimental genotypes after third week of storage in term of dormancy breakage (Fig.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig2\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e2\u003c/span\u003ea) while GA\u003csub\u003e3\u003c/sub\u003e in term of sprout growth (Fig.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig2\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e2\u003c/span\u003eb). Whereas, weight loss was observed maximum (Fig.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig2\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e2\u003c/span\u003ec) in the tubers stored for three weeks after soaking in 60 mgL\u003csup\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;1\u003c/sup\u003e BAP. Under \u003cem\u003egenotype \u0026times; storage period\u003c/em\u003e interaction, PRI Red advanced rapidly towards dormancy breakage (27.3 days) (Fig.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig3\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e3\u003c/span\u003ea) with production of longest sprout at week 3 (6.9 mm) (Fig.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig3\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e3\u003c/span\u003eb) due to which it remarkably dropped its weight (4.5%) (Fig.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig3\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e3\u003c/span\u003ec). On the other hand, FD8-1 displayed the longest tuber dormancy period (61.7 days) (Fig.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig3\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e3\u003c/span\u003ea) with shortest sprout length (1.7 mm) (Fig.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig3\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e3\u003c/span\u003eb) and lowest weight loss (3.4%) (Fig.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig3\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e3\u003c/span\u003ec).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec16\" class=\"Section3\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003eEffect on endogenous starch, sucrose, fructose and glucose contents of tuber\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe starch, sucrose, fructose and glucose contents in the experimental tubers were significantly affected by PGRs, genotypes, storage periods, and the two-way interactions of \u003cem\u003ePGRs \u0026times; storage period\u003c/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003egenotype \u0026times; storage period\u003c/em\u003e (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab1\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e). The starch contents were significantly decreased (10.91%) in the tubers treated with 20 mgL\u003csup\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;1\u003c/sup\u003e solution of GA\u003csub\u003e3\u003c/sub\u003e trailed by 60 mgL\u003csup\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;1\u003c/sup\u003e of BAP (11.07%) (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab1\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e). The sucrose (0.93%), fructose (0.257%), and glucose (0.864%) contents of tubers, on the other hand, were found highest in the tubers treated with 60 mgL\u003csup\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;1\u003c/sup\u003e of BAP followed by 90 mgL\u003csup\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;1\u003c/sup\u003e of BAP. Among GA\u003csub\u003e3\u003c/sub\u003e levels, the treatment with 20 mgL\u003csup\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;1\u003c/sup\u003e developed the highest contents of sucrose, fructose, and glucose. Among genotypes, FD69-1 exhibited the highest level (14.68%) of starch while PRI depicted the lowest level (7.81%) (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab1\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e). Alternatively, sucrose, fructose and glucose were found highest in PRI Red and lowest in FD73-49 (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab1\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e). There was a weak negative (\u003cem\u003er\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;0.4\u003c/em\u003e) correlation of starch contents with tuber dormancy period and weight loss or moderate (\u003cem\u003er\u0026thinsp;\u0026ge;\u0026thinsp;\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;0.5\u003c/em\u003e) correlation with sprout length. However, tuber glucose, fructose, and sucrose contents had a strong positive correlation (\u003cem\u003er\u0026thinsp;\u0026ge;\u0026thinsp;0.8\u003c/em\u003e) with dormancy period, sprout length and weight loss. From first to third week of storage, starch contents declined while sucrose, fructose and glucose contents elevated (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab1\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eUnder \u003cem\u003ePGRs \u0026times; storage period\u003c/em\u003e interaction, BAP and GA3 showed a comparatively greater effect on tuber starch (Fig.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig2\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e2\u003c/span\u003ed), sucrose (Fig.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig2\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e2\u003c/span\u003ee), fructose (Fig.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig2\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e2\u003c/span\u003ef), and glucose (Fig.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig2\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e2\u003c/span\u003eg) contents than untreated control. Under genotype \u0026times; storage period interaction, starch contents decreased more rapidly in the short-term dormancy genotypes than in the moderate or long-term dormancy genotypes (Fig.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig3\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e3\u003c/span\u003ed). On the other hand, sucrose (Fig.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig3\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e3\u003c/span\u003ee), fructose (Fig.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig3\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e3\u003c/span\u003ef) and glucose (Fig.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig3\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e3\u003c/span\u003eg) contents were developed in small quantities in the tubers of PRI Red during first week in comparison with the contents during third week.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec17\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003eIndividual and combined application of optimized levels of PGRs\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec18\" class=\"Section3\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003eEffect on tuber dormancy period, sprout length and weight loss\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe main effects of PGRs, genotypes, and storage periods as well as their interactive effects had a significant (\u003cem\u003eP\u0026thinsp;\u0026le;\u0026thinsp;0.05\u003c/em\u003e) influence on tuber dormancy period, sprout length, and weight loss (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab2\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e2\u003c/span\u003e). Among PGRs, combination of 60 mgL\u003csup\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;1\u003c/sup\u003e BAP with 20 mgL\u003csup\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;1\u003c/sup\u003e GA\u003csub\u003e3\u003c/sub\u003e efficiently broke the dormancy of tubers within 18.1 days and increased the sprout length by 33.6% (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab2\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e2\u003c/span\u003e). The tubers soaked in both 60 mgL\u003csup\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;1\u003c/sup\u003e BAP and 20 mgL\u003csup\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;1\u003c/sup\u003e GA\u003csub\u003e3\u003c/sub\u003e solutions also demonstrated highest weight loss (2.31%). Among genotypes, PRI Red exhibited the shortest dormancy period (13.8 days) with highest sprout length (3.5 mm) and weight loss (2.27%) whereas FD8-1 took the longest period (30.6 days) to dormancy breakage with smallest sprout length (0.95 mm) and weight loss (1.79%) (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab2\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e2\u003c/span\u003e). With the increase in storage period, dormancy period decreased and sprout growth and weight loss increased (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab2\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e2\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab2\" border=\"1\"\u003e \u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 2\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eIndividual and combined effect of optimized PGRs levels on tuber dormancy period, sprout length and weight loss of six potato genotypes and relative changes occurred in endogenous starch, sucrose, fructose and glucose contents.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/caption\u003e \u003ccolgroup cols=\"9\"\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c5\" colnum=\"5\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c6\" colnum=\"6\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c7\" colnum=\"7\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c8\" colnum=\"8\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c9\" colnum=\"9\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cthead\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eFactors\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eDP\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e(days)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSL\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eWL\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e(%)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eStarch\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e(%)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSucrose\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eFructose\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e(%)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eGlucose\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e(%)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e(mm)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e(%)\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/thead\u003e \u003ctbody\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eTreatment (T)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eControl\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e27.7a\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.36c\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.90d\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e11.62a\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.81d\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.20d\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.73d\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e(mgL-1)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eBAP 60\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e18.7c\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.71b\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.04c\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e10.94b\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.96b\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.25b\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.86b\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eGA3 20\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e23.3b\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.01a\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.16b\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e10.76c\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.84c\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.21c\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.76c\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c2\" namest=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eBAP 60\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;GA3 20\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e18.0c\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.08a\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.31a\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e10.58d\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.99a\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.25a\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.89a\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eLSD T (P\u0026thinsp;\u0026le;\u0026thinsp;0.05)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.75\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.076\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.017\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.068\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.018\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.004\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.017\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eGenotype (G)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eFD8-1\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e30.6a\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.95e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.79d\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e14.63a\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.96c\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.22d\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.87c\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eFD69-1\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e28.8b\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.14d\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.87c\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e14.30b\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.97c\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.24c\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.87c\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eFD73-49\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e21.5c\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.75b\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.25a\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e10.88c\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.54e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.12f\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.49e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSante\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e21.6c\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.65c\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.17b\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e10.40d\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.06b\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.30b\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.96b\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ePRI Red\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e13.8e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3.55a\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.27a\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e7.26f\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.15a\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.33a\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.05a\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eFD51-5\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e15.4d\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.65c\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.27a\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e8.37e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.72d\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.16e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.64d\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eLSD G (P\u0026thinsp;\u0026le;\u0026thinsp;0.05)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.91\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.093\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.021\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.083\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.02\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.005\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.021\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eStorage period (SP)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eWeek 1\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.0b\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.0b\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.00b\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e12.05a\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.36b\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.09b\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.33b\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eWeek 3\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e43.9a\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3.57a\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.21a\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e9.89b\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.44a\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.37a\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.30a\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eLSD SP (P\u0026thinsp;\u0026le;\u0026thinsp;0.05)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.53\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.05\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.006\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.009\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.013\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.003\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.012\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eLSD T \u0026times; G (P\u0026thinsp;\u0026le;\u0026thinsp;0.05)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.83\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.19\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.043\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.167\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNS\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNS\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNS\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eLSD T \u0026times; SP (P\u0026thinsp;\u0026le;\u0026thinsp;0.05)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.05\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.11\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.025\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.096\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.026\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.006\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.025\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eLSD G \u0026times; SP (P\u0026thinsp;\u0026le;\u0026thinsp;0.05)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.29\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.13\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.030\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.118\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.032\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.007\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.030\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eLSD T \u0026times; G \u0026times; SP (P\u0026thinsp;\u0026le;\u0026thinsp;0.05)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.58\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.26\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.061\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.237\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNS\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNS\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNS\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/tbody\u003e \u003c/colgroup\u003e \u003ctfoot\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd colspan=\"9\"\u003eDP, dormancy period; SL, sprout length; WL, weight loss; BAP, benzylaminopurine; GA3, gibberellic acid.\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd colspan=\"9\"\u003eNS, Non-significant at P\u0026thinsp;\u0026le;\u0026thinsp;0.05. Treatment means sharing same letter are non-significantly different. LSD, least significant difference.\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/tfoot\u003e \u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eUnder \u003cem\u003ePGRs \u0026times; storage period\u003c/em\u003e interaction, BAP and GA\u003csub\u003e3\u003c/sub\u003e showed a significant cumulative effect on all experimental genotypes after third week of storage with the quickest dormancy breakage (Fig.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig4\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e4\u003c/span\u003ea) and the greatest sprout length (Fig.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig4\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e4\u003c/span\u003eb); as a result, highest weight loss (Fig.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig4\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e4\u003c/span\u003ec). Under \u003cem\u003egenotype \u0026times; storage period\u003c/em\u003e interaction, PRI Red advanced rapidly towards dormancy breakage (27.8 days) (Fig.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig5\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e5\u003c/span\u003ea) with production of longest sprout at week 3 (7.3 mm) (Fig.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig5\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e5\u003c/span\u003eb) due to rapid rate of decrease in starch contents and increase in sugars contents which resulted in a remarkable drop in its weight (4.6%) (Fig.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig5\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e5\u003c/span\u003ec). On the other hand, FD8-1 displayed the longest tuber dormancy period (61.3 days) (Fig.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig5\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e5\u003c/span\u003ea) with shortest sprout length (1.9 mm) (Fig.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig5\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e5\u003c/span\u003eb) and lowest weight loss (3.5%) (Fig.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig5\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e5\u003c/span\u003ec).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec19\" class=\"Section3\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003eEffect on endogenous starch, sucrose, fructose and glucose contents of tuber\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe starch, sucrose, fructose and glucose contents in the experimental tubers were significantly (\u003cem\u003eP\u0026thinsp;\u0026le;\u0026thinsp;0.05\u003c/em\u003e) influenced by PGRs, genotypes, storage periods, and the two-way interactions of \u003cem\u003ePGRs \u0026times; storage period\u003c/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003egenotype \u0026times; storage period\u003c/em\u003e (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab2\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e2\u003c/span\u003e). The application of 60 mgL\u003csup\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;1\u003c/sup\u003e of BAP and 20 mgL\u003csup\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;1\u003c/sup\u003e of GA\u003csub\u003e3\u003c/sub\u003e together resulted in the lowest starch (10.58%) and highest sucrose (0.99%), fructose (0.25%), and glucose (0.89%) levels. The highest starch contents among genotypes were found in FD8-1, while the lowest were found in PRI Red (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab2\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e2\u003c/span\u003e). Alternatively, sucrose, fructose and glucose were found highest in PRI Red and lowest in FD73-49 (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab2\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e2\u003c/span\u003e). There was a weak negative (\u003cem\u003er\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;0.1\u003c/em\u003e) correlation of starch contents with tuber dormancy period and moderate to strong (\u003cem\u003er\u0026thinsp;\u0026ge;\u0026thinsp;\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;0.5\u0026ndash;0.65\u003c/em\u003e) correlation with sprout length and weight loss, respectively. However, tuber glucose, fructose, and sucrose contents had a strong positive correlation (r\u0026thinsp;\u0026ge;\u0026thinsp;0.8) with dormancy period, sprout length and weight loss. During three weeks of storage, starch contents reduced while sucrose, fructose and glucose contents aggravated (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab2\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e2\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eUnder \u003cem\u003ePGRs \u0026times; storage period\u003c/em\u003e interaction, BAP and GA3 together decreased the starch contents by 61.2% (Fig.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig4\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e4\u003c/span\u003ed) and increased the sucrose (Fig.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig4\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e4\u003c/span\u003ee), fructose (Fig.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig4\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e4\u003c/span\u003ef), and glucose (Fig.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig4\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e4\u003c/span\u003eg) contents by 21%, 13.2%, and 20.9%, correspondingly. Under the interactive effect of genotype \u0026times; storage period, starch levels dropped more quickly in the short-term dormancy genotypes than in the moderate or long-term dormancy genotypes (Fig.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig5\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e5\u003c/span\u003ed). On the other hand, sucrose (Fig.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig5\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e5\u003c/span\u003ee), fructose (Fig.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig5\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e5\u003c/span\u003ef) and glucose (Fig.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig5\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e5\u003c/span\u003eg) contents were developed in small quantities in the tubers of PRI Red during first week in comparison with the contents during third week.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec20\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003eCold pre-treatment of tubers\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec21\" class=\"Section3\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003eEffect on tuber dormancy period, sprout length and weight loss\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe tuber dormancy period, sprout length, and weight loss were significantly (\u003cem\u003eP\u0026thinsp;\u0026le;\u0026thinsp;0.05\u003c/em\u003e) affected by the cold storage temperature, genotypes, storage periods and their interactions, \u003cem\u003etemperature \u0026times; storage period\u003c/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003egenotype \u0026times; storage period\u003c/em\u003e (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab3\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e3\u003c/span\u003e). The tuber weight loss was also affected by \u003cem\u003etemperature \u0026times; genotype\u003c/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003etemperature \u0026times; genotype \u0026times; storage period\u003c/em\u003e (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab3\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e3\u003c/span\u003e). All other interactions were found non-significant (\u003cem\u003eP\u0026thinsp;\u0026gt;\u0026thinsp;0.05\u003c/em\u003e) (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab3\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e3\u003c/span\u003e). Among storage temperatures, 2\u0026deg;C resulted in significant reduction of dormancy period (22.5 days) and increase in sprout length (1.67 mm) in all genotypes (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab3\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e3\u003c/span\u003e). Also, the highest weight loss (2.04%) was recorded in the tubers kept at 2\u0026deg;C. Among genotypes, PRI Red exhibited the shortest dormancy period (16.3 days), highest sprout length (3.15 mm) and weight loss (2.18%) while FD8-1 the longest period (33.6 days), smallest sprout length (0.64 mm) and weight loss (1.58%) (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab3\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e3\u003c/span\u003e). With the increase in storage period, tuber dormancy reduced while sprout length and weight loss increased.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab3\" border=\"1\"\u003e \u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 3\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eEffect of cold pre-treatment on tuber dormancy period, sprout length and weight loss of six potato genotypes and relative changes occurred in endogenous starch, sucrose, fructose and glucose contents.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/caption\u003e \u003ccolgroup cols=\"9\"\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c5\" colnum=\"5\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c6\" colnum=\"6\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c7\" colnum=\"7\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c8\" colnum=\"8\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c9\" colnum=\"9\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cthead\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eFactors\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eDP\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e(days)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSL\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eWL\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e(%)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eStarch\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e(%)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSucrose\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eFructose\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e(%)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eGlucose\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e(%)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e(mm)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e(%)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/thead\u003e \u003ctbody\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eTemperature (T)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eControl\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e26.9a\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.37c\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.88c\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e10.79a\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.80d\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.20b\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.73c\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e6\u0026deg;C\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e25.6b\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.38c\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.83d\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e10.53ab\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.82c\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.21b\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.74c\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4\u0026deg;C\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e24.3c\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.50b\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.95b\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e10.43b\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.83b\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.21b\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.76b\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c2\" namest=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2\u0026deg;C\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e22.5d\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.67a\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.04a\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e10.27b\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.88a\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.23a\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.79a\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eLSD T (P\u0026thinsp;\u0026le;\u0026thinsp;0.05)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.84\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.098\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.036\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.341\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.012\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.004\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.011\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eGenotype (G)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eFD8-1\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e33.6a\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.64d\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.58e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e14.51a\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.90c\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.21d\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.83c\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eFD69-1\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e31.9b\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.70d\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.65d\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e11.76b\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.91c\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.23c\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.82c\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eFD73-49\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e24.0c\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.35c\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.09b\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e10.34c\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.48e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.12f\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.44e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSante\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e24.7c\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.50b\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.94c\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e9.13d\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.98b\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.29b\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.89b\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ePRI Red\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e16.3e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3.15a\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.18a\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e8.38e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.07a\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.31a\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.97a\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eFD51-5\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e18.5d\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.56b\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.11b\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e8.90d\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.65d\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.13e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.59d\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eLSD G (P\u0026thinsp;\u0026le;\u0026thinsp;0.05)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.03\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.120\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.045\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.418\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.02\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.012\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.014\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eStorage period (SP)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eWeek 1\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.0b\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.0b\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.00b\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e11.24a\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.34b\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.08b\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.32b\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eWeek 3\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e49.7a\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.97a\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3.86a\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e9.77b\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.32a\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.35a\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.20a\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eLSD SP (P\u0026thinsp;\u0026le;\u0026thinsp;0.05)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.53\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.069\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.026\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.241\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.015\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.007\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.008\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eLSD T \u0026times; G (P\u0026thinsp;\u0026le;\u0026thinsp;0.05)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNS\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNS\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.090\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNS\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNS\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNS\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNS\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eLSD T \u0026times; SP (P\u0026thinsp;\u0026le;\u0026thinsp;0.05)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.19\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.13\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.052\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.483\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.017\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.014\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.016\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eLSD G \u0026times; SP (P\u0026thinsp;\u0026le;\u0026thinsp;0.05)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.45\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.16\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.063\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.592\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.021\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.018\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.020\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eLSD T \u0026times; G \u0026times; SP (P\u0026thinsp;\u0026le;\u0026thinsp;0.05)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNS\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNS\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.128\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNS\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNS\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNS\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNS\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/tbody\u003e \u003c/colgroup\u003e \u003ctfoot\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd colspan=\"9\"\u003eDP, dormancy period; SL, sprout length; WL, weight loss.\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd colspan=\"9\"\u003eNS, Non-significant at P\u0026thinsp;\u0026le;\u0026thinsp;0.05. Treatment means sharing same letter are non-significantly different. LSD, least significant difference.\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/tfoot\u003e \u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eUnder \u003cem\u003etemperature \u0026times; storage period\u003c/em\u003e interaction, the dormancy period was significantly broken earlier by almost 8.7 days compared to control when tubers were kept at 2\u0026deg;C (Fig.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig6\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e6\u003c/span\u003ea). The tubers kept at this temperature also gave 18.2% greater sprout length (Fig.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig6\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e6\u003c/span\u003eb) and 7.9% more weight loss (Fig.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig6\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e6\u003c/span\u003ec) than control tubers. Under genotype \u0026times; storage period interaction, PRI Red advanced rapidly towards dormancy breakage (32.6 days) (Fig.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig7\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e7\u003c/span\u003ea) with production of longest sprout at week 3 (6.5 mm) (Fig.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig7\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e7\u003c/span\u003eb) due to rapid rate of decrease in starch contents and increase in sugars contents which resulted in a remarkable drop in its weight (4.4%) (Fig.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig7\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e7\u003c/span\u003ec). On the other hand, FD8-1 displayed the longest tuber dormancy period (67.2 days) (Fig.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig7\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e7\u003c/span\u003ea) with shortest sprout length (1.2 mm) (Fig.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig7\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e7\u003c/span\u003eb) and lowest weight loss (3.2%) (Fig.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig7\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e7\u003c/span\u003ec).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec22\" class=\"Section3\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003eEffect on endogenous starch, sucrose, fructose and glucose contents of tuber\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe starch contents decreased (10.27%) with the lowest temperature (2\u0026deg;C) treatment. The sucrose (0.88%), fructose (0.23%), and glucose (0.79%) contents, on the other hand, were enhanced by cold pre-treatment at 2\u0026deg;C (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab3\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e3\u003c/span\u003e). Among genotypes, the maximum starch contents were recorded in FD8-1 (14.51%), while the minimum in PRI Red (8.38%) (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab3\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e3\u003c/span\u003e). Alternatively, sucrose, fructose and glucose were found highest in PRI Red and lowest in FD73-49 (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab3\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e3\u003c/span\u003e). There was a negative weak (\u003cem\u003er\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;0.3\u003c/em\u003e) correlation of starch contents with tuber dormancy period and a moderate (\u003cem\u003er\u0026thinsp;\u0026ge;\u0026thinsp;\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;0.5\u003c/em\u003e) correlation with sprout length and weight loss. However, tuber glucose, fructose, and sucrose contents had a strong positive correlation (r\u0026thinsp;\u0026ge;\u0026thinsp;0.8) with dormancy period, sprout length and weight loss. From first to third week of storage, starch contents lessened while sucrose, fructose and glucose contents enhanced (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab3\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e3\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eUnder Temperature \u0026times; storage period interaction, the lowest temperature \u003cem\u003ei.e.\u003c/em\u003e, 2\u0026deg;C decreased the starch contents by 49.5% (Fig.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig6\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e6\u003c/span\u003ed) and increased the sucrose (Fig.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig6\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e6\u003c/span\u003ee), fructose (Fig.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig6\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e6\u003c/span\u003ef), and glucose (Fig.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig6\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e6\u003c/span\u003eg) contents by 9%, 9.6%, and 9.3% correspondingly. Under the interactive effect of \u003cem\u003egenotype \u0026times; storage period\u003c/em\u003e, starch levels dropped more quickly in the short-term dormancy genotypes than in the moderate or long-term dormancy genotypes (Fig.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig7\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e7\u003c/span\u003ed). On the other hand, sucrose (Fig.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig7\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e7\u003c/span\u003ee), fructose (Fig.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig7\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e7\u003c/span\u003ef) and glucose (Fig.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig7\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e7\u003c/span\u003eg) contents were developed in small quantities in the tubers of PRI Red during first week in comparison with the contents during third week.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec23\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003eElectric shock of tubers\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec24\" class=\"Section3\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003eEffect on tuber dormancy period, sprout length and weight loss\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe tuber dormancy period, sprout length, and weight loss were significantly affected by the electric current, genotypes, storage periods and their interactions, \u003cem\u003eelectric current \u0026times; storage period\u003c/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003egenotype \u0026times; storage period\u003c/em\u003e (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab4\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e4\u003c/span\u003e). The tuber weight loss was also affected by \u003cem\u003eelectric current \u0026times; genotype\u003c/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003eelectric current \u0026times; genotype \u0026times; storage period\u003c/em\u003e (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab4\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e4\u003c/span\u003e). The tubers treated with the electric current at 80 V had the shortest dormancy period (20.5 days), which was statistically different from the control. The highest sprout length (1.74 mm) and weight loss (2.11%) were also recorded in the tubers treated with 80 V electric current. Among genotypes, PRI Red exhibited the shortest dormancy period (15.4 days), highest sprout length (3.24 mm) and weight loss (2.14%) while FD8-1 the longest period (31.4 days), smallest sprout length (0.58 mm) and weight loss (1.70%) (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab3\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e3\u003c/span\u003e). As storage period advanced, tuber dormancy reduced with increase in the sprout length and weight loss.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab4\" border=\"1\"\u003e \u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 4\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eEffect of electric current on tuber dormancy period, sprout length and weight loss of six potato genotypes and relative changes occurred in in endogenous starch, fructose, glucose and sucrose contents.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/caption\u003e \u003ccolgroup cols=\"9\"\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c5\" colnum=\"5\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c6\" colnum=\"6\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c7\" colnum=\"7\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c8\" colnum=\"8\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c9\" colnum=\"9\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cthead\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eFactors\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eDP\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e(days)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSL\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eWL\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e(%)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eStarch\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e(%)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSucrose\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eFructose\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e(%)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eGlucose\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e(%)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e(mm)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e(%)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/thead\u003e \u003ctbody\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eElectric current (Ec)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0-V\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e27.2a\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.37b\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.87e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e10.73a\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.81c\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.212c\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.74d\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e80-V\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e20.5d\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.74a\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.11a\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e10.17c\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.90a\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.247a\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.83a\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e60-V\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e23.2c\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.44b\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.03b\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e10.35bc\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.84b\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.221b\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.77b\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c2\" namest=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e40-V\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e23.9c\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.38b\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.97c\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e10.39bc\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.83b\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.219b\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.77b\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c2\" namest=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e20-V\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e25.1b\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.37b\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.92d\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e10.58ab\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.82c\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.215c\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.75c\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eLSD T (P\u0026thinsp;\u0026le;\u0026thinsp;0.05)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.80\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.097\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.027\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.333\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.009\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.004\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.009\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eGenotype (G)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eFD8-1\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e31.4a\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.58e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.70d\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e14.50a\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.88c\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.20d\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.82c\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eFD69-1\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e30.2b\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.65e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.73c\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e11.68b\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.89c\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.24c\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.82c\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eFD73-49\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e24.2c\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.30d\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.17a\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e10.37c\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.51e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.12f\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.46e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSante\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e24.1c\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.44c\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.98b\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e8.97d\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.01b\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.29b\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.92b\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ePRI Red\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e15.4e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3.24a\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.14a\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e8.27e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.11a\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.32a\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.02a\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eFD51-5\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e18.5d\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.57b\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.16a\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e8.86d\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.64d\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.14e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.59d\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eLSD G (P\u0026thinsp;\u0026le;\u0026thinsp;0.05)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.88\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.106\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.029\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.365\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.010\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.005\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.021\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eStorage period (SP)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eWeek 1\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.0b\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.0b\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.00b\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e11.10a\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.35b\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.08b\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.32b\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eWeek 3\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e48.0a\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.92a\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3.97a\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e9.79b\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.33a\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.35a\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.23a\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eLSD SP (P\u0026thinsp;\u0026le;\u0026thinsp;0.05)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.50\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.061\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.017\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.210\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.006\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.002\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.006\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eLSD Ec \u0026times; G (P\u0026thinsp;\u0026le;\u0026thinsp;0.05)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNS\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNS\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.066\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNS\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNS\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNS\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNS\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eLSD Ec \u0026times; SP (P\u0026thinsp;\u0026le;\u0026thinsp;0.05)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.13\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.13\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.038\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.471\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.013\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.006\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.013\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eLSD G \u0026times; SP (P\u0026thinsp;\u0026le;\u0026thinsp;0.05)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.24\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.15\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.042\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.516\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.015\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.007\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.015\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eLSD Ec \u0026times; G \u0026times; SP (P\u0026thinsp;\u0026le;\u0026thinsp;0.05)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNS\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNS\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.094\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNS\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNS\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNS\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNS\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/tbody\u003e \u003c/colgroup\u003e \u003ctfoot\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd colspan=\"9\"\u003eDP, dormancy period; SL, sprout length; WL, weight loss.\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd colspan=\"9\"\u003eNS\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;Non-significant at P\u0026thinsp;\u0026le;\u0026thinsp;0.05. Treatment means followed by the same letter are not significantly different. LSD, least significant difference.\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/tfoot\u003e \u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eUnder \u003cem\u003eelectric current \u0026times; storage period\u003c/em\u003e interaction, the dormancy period was significantly broken almost 13.2 days before in comparison with control when tubers were treated with 80 V electric current (Fig.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig8\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e8\u003c/span\u003ea). The tubers treated with 80 V electric current also gave 21.2% greater sprout length (Fig.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig8\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e8\u003c/span\u003eb) and 11.5% more weight loss (Fig.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig8\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e8\u003c/span\u003ec) than control tubers. Under \u003cem\u003egenotype \u0026times; storage period\u003c/em\u003e interaction, PRI Red advanced rapidly towards dormancy breakage (32.6 days) (Fig.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig9\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e9\u003c/span\u003ea) with production of longest sprout at week 3 (6.48 mm) (Fig.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig9\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e9\u003c/span\u003eb) due to rapid rate of decrease in starch contents and increase in sugars contents which resulted in a remarkable drop in its weight (4.37%) (Fig.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig9\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e9\u003c/span\u003ec). On the other hand, FD8-1 displayed the longest tuber dormancy period (67.3 days) (Fig.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig9\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e9\u003c/span\u003ea) with shortest sprout length (1.15 mm) (Fig.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig9\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e9\u003c/span\u003eb) and lowest weight loss (3.17%) (Fig.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig9\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e9\u003c/span\u003ec).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec25\" class=\"Section3\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003eEffect on endogenous starch, sucrose, fructose and glucose contents of tuber\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe starch contents decreased (10.17%) with the highest volt electric current (80 V). The sucrose (0.90%), fructose (0.25%), and glucose (0.83%) contents, on the other hand, were enhanced by electric current applied at 80 V (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab4\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e4\u003c/span\u003e). Among genotypes, the maximum starch contents were recorded in FD8-1 (14.50%), while the minimum in PRI Red (8.27%) (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab4\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e4\u003c/span\u003e). Alternatively, sucrose, fructose and glucose were found highest in PRI Red and lowest in FD73-49 (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab4\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e4\u003c/span\u003e). There was a negative weak (r\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;0.25) correlation of starch contents with tuber dormancy period and a moderate (r\u0026thinsp;\u0026ge;\u0026thinsp;\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;0.45) correlation with sprout length and weight loss. However, tuber glucose, fructose, and sucrose contents had a strong positive correlation (r\u0026thinsp;\u0026ge;\u0026thinsp;0.8) with dormancy period, sprout length and weight loss. During three weeks of storage, starch contents decreased while sucrose, fructose and glucose contents increased (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab4\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e4\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eUnder \u003cem\u003eelectric current \u0026times; storage period\u003c/em\u003e interaction, the highest volt electric current (80 V) decreased the starch contents by two folds (Fig.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig8\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e8\u003c/span\u003ed) and increased the sucrose (Fig.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig8\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e8\u003c/span\u003ee), fructose (Fig.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig8\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e8\u003c/span\u003ef), and glucose (Fig.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig8\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e8\u003c/span\u003eg) contents by 11.2%, 13.7%, and 11% correspondingly. Under the interactive effect of genotype \u0026times; storage period, starch levels declined quicker in the short-term dormancy genotypes than in the moderate or long-term dormancy genotypes (Fig.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig9\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e9\u003c/span\u003ed). On the other hand, sucrose (Fig.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig9\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e9\u003c/span\u003ee), fructose (Fig.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig9\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e9\u003c/span\u003ef) and glucose (Fig.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig9\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e9\u003c/span\u003eg) contents were developed in small quantities in the tubers of PRI Red during first week in comparison with the contents during third week.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec26\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003eIrradiation of tubers\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec27\" class=\"Section3\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003eEffect on tuber dormancy period, sprout length and weight loss\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eγ-rays, genotypes, storage periods and their interactions, \u003cem\u003eirradiation \u0026times; storage period\u003c/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003egenotype \u0026times; storage period\u003c/em\u003e had a significant (\u003cem\u003eP\u0026thinsp;\u0026le;\u0026thinsp;0.05\u003c/em\u003e) effect on tuber dormancy period, sprout length, and weight loss (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab5\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e5\u003c/span\u003e). The tuber weight loss was also affected by \u003cem\u003eγ-rays \u0026times; genotype\u003c/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003eγ-rays \u0026times; genotype \u0026times; storage period\u003c/em\u003e (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab5\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e5\u003c/span\u003e). The lowest dormancy period (24.5 days) was noted in the tubers treated with the highest dose of radiation (3.5 kGy) (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab5\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e5\u003c/span\u003e). The highest sprout length (1.6 mm) and weight loss (2.1%) was also noticed in the tubers exposed to 3.5 kGy γ-rays. Among genotypes, PRI Red exhibited the shortest dormancy period (18.1 days), highest sprout length (3.32 mm) and weight loss (2.10%) whereas FD8-1 took the longest period (34.4 days) to dormancy breakage (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab5\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e5\u003c/span\u003e), lowest sprout length (0.52 mm) and weight loss (1.67%). From first to the third week of storage, dormancy period decreased with increase in their sprout length and weight loss.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab5\" border=\"1\"\u003e \u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 5\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eEffect of γ-radiations on tuber dormancy period, sprout length and weight loss of six potato genotypes in relation to endogenous changes occurred in starch, sucrose, fructose and glucose contents of tuber.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/caption\u003e \u003ccolgroup cols=\"9\"\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c5\" colnum=\"5\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c6\" colnum=\"6\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c7\" colnum=\"7\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c8\" colnum=\"8\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c9\" colnum=\"9\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cthead\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eFactors\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eDP\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e(days)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSL\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eWL\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e(%)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eStarch\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e(%)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSucrose\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eFructose\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e(%)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eGlucose\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e(%)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e(mm)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e(%)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/thead\u003e \u003ctbody\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eIrradiation (I)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eControl\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e27.8a\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.42b\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.90d\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e11.24a\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.799c\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.205c\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.720c\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3.5 kGy\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e24.5e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.60a\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.10a\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e10.75f\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.856a\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.228a\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.779a\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3.0 kGy\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e26.1d\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.48b\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.02b\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e10.82e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.822b\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.215b\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.746b\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.5 kGy\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e26.3cd\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.47b\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.92c\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e10.88d\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.815bc\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.211bc\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.739bc\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.0 kGy\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e26.9bc\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.42b\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.92c\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e10.95c\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.810bc\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.209bc\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.736bc\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.5 kGy\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e27.2ab\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.43b\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.90cd\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e11.08b\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.808bc\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.208c\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.731bcd\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.0 kGy\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e27.7a\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.42b\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.92cd\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e11.08b\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.802c\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.206c\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.726cd\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eLSD I (\u003cem\u003eP\u0026thinsp;\u0026le;\u0026thinsp;0.05\u003c/em\u003e)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e0.73\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e0.086\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e0.025\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e0.007\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e0.015\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e0.006\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e0.016\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eGenotype (G)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eFD8-1\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e34.4a\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.52f\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.67e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e14.77a\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.88c\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.20d\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.81c\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eFD69-1\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e34.5a\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.61e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.88d\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e12.80b\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.88c\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.23c\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.79c\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eFD73-49\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e26.2c\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.31d\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.11a\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e11.01c\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.48e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.12f\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.43e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSante\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e27.5b\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.43c\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.92c\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e10.04d\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.98b\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.28b\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.88b\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ePRI Red\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e18.1e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3.32a\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.10a\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e8.29f\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.04a\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.30a\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.95a\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eFD51-5\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e19.2d\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.60b\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.05b\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e8.96e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.60d\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.13e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.55d\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eLSD G (\u003cem\u003eP\u0026thinsp;\u0026le;\u0026thinsp;0.05\u003c/em\u003e)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e0.67\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e0.080\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e0.023\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e0.007\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e0.014\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e0.005\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e0.015\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eStorage period (SP)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eWeek 1\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.0b\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.00b\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.00b\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e12.05a\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.34b\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.08b\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.31b\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eWeek 3\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e53.3a\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.93a\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3.92a\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e9.90b\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.28a\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.34a\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.16a\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eLSD SP (\u003cem\u003eP\u0026thinsp;\u0026le;\u0026thinsp;0.05\u003c/em\u003e)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e0.39\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e0.046\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e0.012\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e0.004\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e0.008\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e0.003\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e0.008\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eLSD I \u0026times; G (\u003cem\u003eP\u0026thinsp;\u0026le;\u0026thinsp;0.05\u003c/em\u003e)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNS\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNS\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.060\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.019\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNS\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNS\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNS\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eLSD I \u0026times; SP (\u003cem\u003eP\u0026thinsp;\u0026le;\u0026thinsp;0.05\u003c/em\u003e)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.04\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.122\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.034\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.011\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.022\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.008\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.023\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eLSD G \u0026times; SP (\u003cem\u003eP\u0026thinsp;\u0026le;\u0026thinsp;0.05\u003c/em\u003e)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.96\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.113\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.032\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.010\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.021\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.008\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.021\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eLSD I \u0026times; G \u0026times; SP (\u003cem\u003eP\u0026thinsp;\u0026le;\u0026thinsp;0.05\u003c/em\u003e)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNS\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNS\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.085\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.027\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNS\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNS\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNS\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/tbody\u003e \u003c/colgroup\u003e \u003ctfoot\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd colspan=\"9\"\u003eDP, dormancy period; SL, sprout length; WL, weight loss.\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd colspan=\"9\"\u003eNS, Non-significant at \u003cem\u003eP\u0026thinsp;\u0026le;\u0026thinsp;0.05\u003c/em\u003e. Treatment means sharing same letter are non-significantly different. LSD, least significant difference.\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/tfoot\u003e \u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eUnder \u003cem\u003eirradiation \u0026times; storage period\u003c/em\u003e interaction, the dormancy period was significantly broken almost 6.5 days before in comparison with control when tubers were treated with 3.5 kGy γ-rays (Fig.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig10\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e10\u003c/span\u003ea). The tubers treated with 3.5 kGy γ-rays also gave 11.3% greater sprout length (Fig.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig10\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e10\u003c/span\u003eb) and 9.5% more weight loss (Fig.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig10\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e10\u003c/span\u003ec) than control tubers. Under genotype \u0026times; storage period interaction, PRI Red advanced rapidly towards dormancy breakage (36.2 days) (Fig.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig11\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e11\u003c/span\u003ea) with production of longest sprout at week 3 (6.64 mm) (Fig.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig11\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e11\u003c/span\u003eb) due to rapid rate of decrease in starch contents and increase in sugars contents which resulted in a remarkable drop in its weight (4.2%) (Fig.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig11\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e11\u003c/span\u003ec). On the other hand, FD8-1 displayed the longest tuber dormancy period (68.9 days) (Fig.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig11\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e11\u003c/span\u003ea) with shortest sprout length (1.05 mm) (Fig.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig11\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e11\u003c/span\u003eb) and lowest weight loss (3.34%) (Fig.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig11\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e11\u003c/span\u003ec).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec28\" class=\"Section3\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003eEffect on endogenous starch, sucrose, fructose and glucose contents of tuber\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe starch, sucrose, fructose and glucose contents in the experimental tubers were significantly affected by γ-rays, genotypes, storage periods, and the two-way interactions of \u003cem\u003eirradiation \u0026times; storage period\u003c/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003egenotype \u0026times; storage period\u003c/em\u003e (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab5\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e5\u003c/span\u003e). The contents of starch, sucrose, fructose, and glucose for γ-rays, genotypes, and storage periods are given in Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab5\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e5\u003c/span\u003e. The starch contents were significantly decreased (10.75%) in the tubers treated with 3.5 kGy γ-rays (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab5\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e5\u003c/span\u003e). The sucrose (0.856%), fructose (0.228%), and glucose (0.779%) contents of tubers, on the other hand, were found highest with 3.5 kGy γ-rays. Among genotypes, FD69-1 and FD8-1 exhibited the highest level of starch while PRI depicted the lowest level (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab5\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e5\u003c/span\u003e). Alternatively, sucrose, fructose and glucose were found highest in PRI Red and lowest in FD73-49 (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab5\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e5\u003c/span\u003e). There was a weak negative (\u003cem\u003er\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;0.3\u003c/em\u003e) correlation of starch contents with tuber dormancy period and weight loss or moderate (\u003cem\u003er\u0026thinsp;\u0026ge;\u0026thinsp;\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;0.45\u003c/em\u003e) correlation with sprout length. However, tuber glucose, fructose, and sucrose contents had a strong positive correlation (\u003cem\u003er\u0026thinsp;\u0026ge;\u0026thinsp;0.8\u003c/em\u003e) with dormancy period, sprout length and weight loss. From first to third week of storage, starch contents declined while sucrose, fructose and glucose contents elevated (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab5\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e5\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eUnder \u003cem\u003eirradiation \u0026times; storage period\u003c/em\u003e interaction, the highest dose γ-rays (3.5 kGy) decreased the starch contents by 36.1% (Fig.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig10\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e10\u003c/span\u003ed) and increased the sucrose (Fig.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig10\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e10\u003c/span\u003ee), fructose (Fig.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig10\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e10\u003c/span\u003ef), and glucose (Fig.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig10\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e10\u003c/span\u003eg) contents by 8.3%, 9.7%, and 9.6% correspondingly. Under \u003cem\u003egenotype \u0026times; storage period\u003c/em\u003e interaction, starch contents reduced more quickly in the short-term dormancy genotypes than in the moderate or long-term dormancy genotypes (Fig.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig11\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e11\u003c/span\u003ed). On the other hand, sucrose (Fig.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig11\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e11\u003c/span\u003ee), fructose (Fig.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig11\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e11\u003c/span\u003ef) and glucose (Fig.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig11\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e11\u003c/span\u003eg) contents were developed in small quantities in the tubers of PRI Red during first week in comparison with the contents during third week.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/div\u003e"},{"header":"Discussion","content":"\u003cp\u003ePakistan's seed potato industry demands genotypes with variable tuber dormancy length to accommodate the growers' single or multiple cropping schedules\u003csup\u003e\u003cspan citationid=\"CR5\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e5\u003c/span\u003e,\u003cspan citationid=\"CR10\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e10\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e. Moreover, the use of dormancy breaking techniques provides even more flexibility in raising consecutive crops\u003csup\u003e\u003cspan citationid=\"CR6\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e6\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e. The use of chemicals to shorten tuber dormancy, such as thiourea, bromoethane, and rindite, has been extensively investigated, but these substances are hazardous to both humans and the environment\u003csup\u003e\u003cspan citationid=\"CR22\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e22\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e. It is therefore imperative to characterise the germplasm in order of their dormancy period, which either directly or indirectly controls the maturation time\u003csup\u003e\u003cspan citationid=\"CR37\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e37\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e and keeping quality\u003csup\u003e\u003cspan citationid=\"CR38\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e38\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e of potato crop; and devise an effective, safe, and environmentally acceptable technique for breaking seed-tuber dormancy to enable single or multiple cropping system\u003csup\u003e\u003cspan citationid=\"CR6\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e6\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eDormancy (G\u003csub\u003e0\u003c/sub\u003e phase) is induced in the tubers from the inhibition of the flow of reducing sugars, such as fructose and glucose, from the G\u003csub\u003e1\u003c/sub\u003e-to-S and G\u003csub\u003e2\u003c/sub\u003e-to-M transitions during the cell cycle, as a result no cell development takes place\u003csup\u003e\u003cspan citationid=\"CR28\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e28\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e. The similar findings were obtained in our study as the control tubers of all studied genotypes showed a growth arrest after one week of treatment in term of no dormancy breakage. This might be attributed to the less/ no production of reducing (fructose and glucose) and/or non-reducing (sucrose) sugars (Figs.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig2\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e2\u003c/span\u003ea, \u003cspan refid=\"Fig4\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e4\u003c/span\u003ea, \u003cspan refid=\"Fig6\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e6\u003c/span\u003ea, \u003cspan refid=\"Fig8\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e8\u003c/span\u003ea, \u003cspan refid=\"Fig10\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e10\u003c/span\u003ea). After week 3, short-term and moderate-term dormancy genotypes initiated sprouting which might be due to production of fructose and glucose as a result of starch conversion. In fact, dormancy induction is evolved by the tubers as a protective mechanism against unfavorable conditions\u003csup\u003e\u003cspan citationid=\"CR15\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e15\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e. This fact can be proved from the findings of Suttle\u003csup\u003e\u003cspan citationid=\"CR39\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e39\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e that the period of dormancy is inherently longer in wild genotypes in comparison to genotypes developed through modern breeding. The group Phureja of Solanum tuberosum is exempted from this fact, as their tubers have a short or no dormancy\u003csup\u003e\u003cspan citationid=\"CR40\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e40\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe application of cytokinin exogenously induces changes in the transport of endogenous nutrients and create sink regions to attract photosynthates. It has been suggested that the nutritional sink effect of benzylaminopurine (BAP), which is crucial for maintaining the G\u003csub\u003e1\u003c/sub\u003e-S and G\u003csub\u003e2\u003c/sub\u003e-M transitions in the plant cell, may be the cause of the shortening dormancy period. While the application of GA\u003csub\u003e3\u003c/sub\u003e causes the starch breakdown in tubers, since they are responsible for producing enzymes like amylase that assist in the conversion of starch into sugars through adjustments in intracellular compartmentation\u003csup\u003e\u003cspan citationid=\"CR41\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e41\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e. So, combining the application of both cytokinin and gibberellin will be more effective since cytokinins terminate dormancy and gibberellins will increase sprout growth. In this study, BAP performed best at 60 mgL\u003csup\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;1\u003c/sup\u003e in lowering dormancy period (18.4 days) while GA3 at 20 mgL\u003csup\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;1\u003c/sup\u003e for sprout length (2.05 mm) (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab1\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e). The combination of both BAP and GA\u003csub\u003e3\u003c/sub\u003e at their best levels showed the synergistic effect by quickly breaking the dormancy (18 days) and producing longer sprouts (2.08 mm) as compared to their induvial applications (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab2\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e2\u003c/span\u003e). Similar results were obtained by Claassens and Vreugdenhil\u003csup\u003e\u003cspan citationid=\"CR41\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e41\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e and Njogu et al.\u003csup\u003e\u003cspan citationid=\"CR42\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e42\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e who compared the individual and combined effect of BAP and GA\u003csub\u003e3\u003c/sub\u003e on potato tuber dormancy and sprout length and found the decisive role of cytokinin in terminating dormancy and that of GA\u003csub\u003e3\u003c/sub\u003e in encouraging sprout length. Little soluble sugars are present in the resting buds, but as soon sprouting begins, α- and β-amylases emerge in the tubers which starts converting starch into soluble sugars in the sub-eye regions, to maintain the sprout growth\u003csup\u003e\u003cspan citationid=\"CR43\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e43\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e. In fact, the soaking of potato tubers in GA\u003csub\u003e3\u003c/sub\u003e solution increases the endogenous concentrations of GAs, which affects the production of amylase, that in turn affects the starch breakdown and accelerates sprout outgrowth. Elevation in the contents of soluble sugars at dormancy break suggested that sucrose release into buds is essential for initiation of sprouting. Low sucrose levels in the buds may act as a signal to regulate parenchymal starch transport\u003csup\u003e\u003cspan citationid=\"CR44\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e44\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e. There is a noticeable decrease in starch contents, which can be related to the buildup of soluble sugars at sprouting\u003csup\u003e\u003cspan citationid=\"CR45\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e45\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e. As in our study, there were comparatively higher starch and lower sucrose, fructose and glucose contents before commencement of sprouting. After third week of PGRs, as sprouting started, starch contents decreased and sucrose, fructose and glucose contents increased (Tables\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab1\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e,\u003cspan refid=\"Tab2\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e2\u003c/span\u003e). The sugars developed at commencement of sprouting might be utilized by the growing sprouts as earlier reported by Haider et al.\u003csup\u003e\u003cspan citationid=\"CR10\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e10\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e. With the growth of sprouts, weight loss increases in tubers as a strong correlation exists between weight loss and sprout length and numbers. In this study the combined application of optimized levels of BAP and GA\u003csub\u003e3\u003c/sub\u003e resulted in quicker dormancy break, more sprout growth and more weight loss as earlier indicated by Pande et al.\u003csup\u003e\u003cspan citationid=\"CR14\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e14\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eIn potatoes, low or high temperature shock shortens the tuber dormancy\u003csup\u003e\u003cspan citationid=\"CR46\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e46\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e. In this study, the effect of cold pre-treatment on tuber dormancy period and sprout length was found substantial when compared with the control. The findings are in line with those of Muthoni et al.\u003csup\u003e\u003cspan citationid=\"CR47\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e47\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e who discovered that a 2\u0026deg;C cold pre-treatment of tubers reduced the length of dormancy by 14 days in long-term dormancy cultivars. The findings of the present study disagree with the earlier reports which showed that cold pre-treatment has no significant influence on dormancy period of short-term dormancy cultivars\u003csup\u003e\u003cspan citationid=\"CR31\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e31\u003c/span\u003e,\u003cspan citationid=\"CR48\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e48\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e. The shortening of tuber dormancy may be attributed to disruption of membrane by low temperature which resulted in electrolyte leakage and subcellular compartmentation.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe effect of electric current on tuber dormancy, sprout length and weight loss in relation to changes in endogenous starch and sugar contents has never been documented before. The significant differences observed among genotypes for dormancy period and sprout length under the effect of electric current are consistent with the findings of Haider et al.\u003csup\u003e\u003cspan citationid=\"CR10\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e10\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e and Kocacaliskan\u003csup\u003e\u003cspan citationid=\"CR29\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e29\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e who noted a decrease in dormancy days and increase in sprout length as storage time advanced. Although, Kocacaliskan\u003csup\u003e\u003cspan citationid=\"CR29\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e29\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e did not find any significant effect of interactions. The increase in sprouting might be due to stimulating effect of electric current on GAs synthesis, which in turn, enhanced the starch break down into sugars through developing α- and β-amylases; hence caused a quick sprout outgrowth\u003csup\u003e\u003cspan citationid=\"CR49\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e49\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e. Electric current application promoted the movement of food reserves from parenchyma tissues to the eyes of the tuber which are used by the sprout for further development.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThere is no report to date to shorten tuber dormancy through irradiation although a lot of material has been published on extension of tuber dormancy. γ-rays are the most disruptive form of electromagnetic radiations\u003csup\u003e\u003cspan citationid=\"CR50\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e50\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e. Higher doses of γ-rays can enhance the sugar contents through disrupting the hormonal levels in the tubers. As a result, both reducing and non-reducing sugars start developing. Reducing sugars are utilized by the growing sprout. However, the lower doses of γ-rays have no significant influence on dormancy breakage. According to the present investigation, there were significant differences in starch, sucrose, fructose, and glucose contents between genotypes and storage times in response to the highest dose (3.5 kGy).\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Conclusions","content":"\u003cp\u003eManaging potato tuber dormancy in order to optimise the seed storage and to ensure its availability round the year has now become essential. The potato varieties cultivated in Pakistan typically retain a dormancy period of 2\u0026ndash;3 months following harvest, preventing cultivation of spring crop after autumn harvest and autumn crop after summer harvest. In order to enable multiple cropping, Pakistan would need to produce varieties with dormancy of approximately less than two months rather than relying on autumn-autumn seed storage practices. Therefore, based on the time difference between crops, growers may prefer genotypes with a wide range of dormancy. The application of several dormancy-breaking techniques (chemicals, cold pre-treatment, electric current, and radiations) on tubers increases planting flexibility for a succeeding crop. The treatment of tubers with PGRs i.e., soaking in 60 mgL\u003csup\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;1\u003c/sup\u003e BAP and 20 mgL\u003csup\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;1\u003c/sup\u003e GA3 produced the best results in term of quickest dormancy breakage and sprout development and is practically realistic approach only when tubers are mechanically cut to expose parenchyma tissues of potatoes to PGRs\u0026rsquo; solutions. Furthermore, the role of endogenous starch during dormancy progression clearly shows that starch concentration was highest initially and declined with the passage of time. Alternatively, reducing (glucose and fructose) and non-reducing (sucrose) sugars were lowest at the start of dormancy and increased with time. In further work, the authors recommend more research into the effects of various dormancy breaking techniques on the emergence, growth, and yield of the potato crop.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Declarations","content":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEthics approval and consent to participate\u003c/strong\u003e: Not applicable.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eResearch Guidelines\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt is stated that the research complies with relevant institutional, national, and international guidelines and legislation.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eConsent for publication:\u003c/strong\u003e Not applicable.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAvailability of data and materials:\u003c/strong\u003e All data generated or analyzed during this study are included in this published article and may also be requested from the corresponding authors.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCompeting interest:\u003c/strong\u003e The authors declare that they have no competing interests.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAcknowledgments\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFunds for this research were provided by the Higher Education Commission, Pakistan, and seed material by the Potato Research Institute, Sahiwal. Endogenous starch, sucrose, fructose and glucose contents were analysed at the Hi-Tech laboratory, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan. Dr. Kathleen Haynes (Former Research Geneticist, USDA, Beltsville, Maryland, USA) assisted in the statistical analyses of experimental data.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAuthor Contributions\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eConceptualization, M.W.H. and M.N.; Data curation, R.I., G.S., J.I., and H.U.A; Formal analysis, M.W.H., M.N., S.Y. M.H.R and F.A.; Funding acquisition, M.A and M.H.R. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCompeting interests\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe authors declare no competing interests.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"References","content":"\u003col\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFAOSTAT. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations database. 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Micron \u003cb\u003e33\u003c/b\u003e, 199\u0026ndash;210 (2002). \u003cspan class=\"ExternalRef\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"RefSource\"\u003ehttps://doi.org/10.1016/S0968-4328(01)00012-9\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan address=\"10.1016/S0968-4328(01)00012-9\" targettype=\"DOI\" class=\"RefTarget\"\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003c/ol\u003e"}],"fulltextSource":"","fullText":"","funders":[],"hasAdminPriorityOnWorkflow":false,"hasManuscriptDocX":true,"hasOptedInToPreprint":true,"hasPassedJournalQc":"","hasAnyPriority":false,"hideJournal":false,"highlight":"","institution":"","isAcceptedByJournal":true,"isAuthorSuppliedPdf":false,"isDeskRejected":"","isHiddenFromSearch":false,"isInQc":false,"isInWorkflow":false,"isPdf":false,"isPdfUpToDate":true,"isWithdrawnOrRetracted":false,"journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"scientific-reports","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"externalIdentity":"scirep","sideBox":"Learn more about [Scientific Reports](http://www.nature.com/srep/)","snPcode":"","submissionUrl":"","title":"Scientific Reports","twitterHandle":"","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":true,"editorialSystem":"stoa","reportingPortfolio":"Scientific Reports","inReviewEnabled":true,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true},"keywords":"Dormancy, Sprouting, Plant growth regulators, γ-radiations, Cold pre-treatment, Electric current, Starch, Sugars, Tuber weight loss","lastPublishedDoi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-2394606/v1","lastPublishedDoiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-2394606/v1","license":{"name":"CC BY 4.0","url":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/"},"manuscriptAbstract":"\u003cp\u003eDevelopment of an efficient, safe and environment-friendly technique to terminate tuber dormancy in potatoes (\u003cem\u003eSolanum tuberosum\u003c/em\u003e L.) is of great concern due to an immense scope of multiple cropping all over the globe. The breakage of tuber dormancy has been associated with numerous physiological changes including a decline in the level of starch and increase in the levels of sugars during storage of freshly harvested seed potatoes, although their consistency across the genotypes and various dormancy breaking techniques have not yet been fully elucidated. The purpose of the present research is to assess the efficacy of four different dormancy breaking techniques such as soaking in 90, 60, or 30 mgL\u003csup\u003e−1\u003c/sup\u003e solutions of benzylaminopurine (BAP) and 30, 20, or 10 mgL\u003csup\u003e−1\u003c/sup\u003e gibberellic acid (GA3) alone and in the combination of optimized concentrations; cold pre-treatment at 6, 4, or 2°C; electric shock at 80, 60, 40, or 20 Vs; and irradiation at 3.5, 3, 2.5, 2, 1.5, or 1 kGy on tuber dormancy period and sprout length of six genotypes. Furthermore, the changes occurred in tuber weight and endogenous starch, sucrose, fructose, and glucose contents in experimental genotypes following application of these techniques were also examined. Overall, the most effective technique to terminate tuber dormancy and hasten spout growth was the combined application of BAP and GA\u003csub\u003e3\u003c/sub\u003e, which reduced the length of dormancy by 9.6 days compared to the untreated control, following 6.7 days of electric current, 4.4 days of cold pre-treatment, and finally irradiation (3.3 days). The 60 mgL\u003csup\u003e−1\u003c/sup\u003e solution of BAP greatly reduced the dormancy period in all genotypes but did not affect the sprout length at all. The genotypes showed a negative weak correlation (\u003cem\u003er ≤ − 0.4\u003c/em\u003e) of endogenous starch contents with dormancy breakage and weight loss or moderate (\u003cem\u003er ≤ − 0.5\u003c/em\u003e) correlation with sprout length; but\u0026nbsp;a\u0026nbsp;strong\u0026nbsp;positive\u0026nbsp;correlation \u003cem\u003e(r ≥ 0.8\u003c/em\u003e)\u0026nbsp;of\u0026nbsp;tuber\u0026nbsp;glucose,\u0026nbsp;fructose,\u0026nbsp;and\u0026nbsp;sucrose\u0026nbsp;contents with\u0026nbsp;dormancy breakage\u0026nbsp;and weight loss. During three weeks storage, sprouting commencement and significant weight loss occurred as tuber dormancy advanced towards breakage due to reduction in starch and increase in sucrose, fructose, and glucose contents of tubers. These\u0026nbsp;findings could be advantageous for postponing or accelerating seed potato storage as well as investigating related physiological research in the future.\u003c/p\u003e","manuscriptTitle":"Postharvest starch and sugars adjustment in potato tubers of wide-ranging dormancy genotypes subjected to various sprout forcing techniques","msid":"","msnumber":"","nonDraftVersions":[{"code":1,"date":"2023-01-04 16:59:09","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-2394606/v1","editorialEvents":[{"type":"communityComments","content":0},{"type":"decision","content":"Major revision","date":"2023-05-15T07:42:32+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorInvitedReview","content":"","date":"2023-04-14T15:14:06+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewerAgreed","content":"819880b4-d139-4fe5-b97c-e4acfd5195ac","date":"2023-04-05T02:30:51+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewersInvited","content":"","date":"2023-02-24T16:36:02+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorAssigned","content":"","date":"2023-02-21T13:09:29+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorInvited","content":"","date":"2022-12-27T10:32:47+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"checksComplete","content":"","date":"2022-12-27T10:28:44+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"submitted","content":"Scientific Reports","date":"2022-12-19T17:32:39+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""}],"status":"published","journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"scientific-reports","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"externalIdentity":"scirep","sideBox":"Learn more about [Scientific Reports](http://www.nature.com/srep/)","snPcode":"","submissionUrl":"","title":"Scientific Reports","twitterHandle":"","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":true,"editorialSystem":"stoa","reportingPortfolio":"Scientific Reports","inReviewEnabled":true,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true}}],"origin":"","ownerIdentity":"a491f4f9-d46f-4e9b-9ed3-949ebfd488e5","owner":[],"postedDate":"January 4th, 2023","published":true,"recentEditorialEvents":[],"rejectedJournal":[],"revision":"","amendment":"","status":"published-in-journal","subjectAreas":[{"id":17980964,"name":"Biological sciences/Plant sciences/Plant physiology"},{"id":17980965,"name":"Biological sciences/Plant sciences"},{"id":17980966,"name":"Earth and environmental sciences/Ecology"}],"tags":[],"updatedAt":"2023-09-11T15:12:10+00:00","versionOfRecord":{"articleIdentity":"rs-2394606","link":"https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-37711-y","journal":{"identity":"scientific-reports","isVorOnly":false,"title":"Scientific Reports"},"publishedOn":"2023-09-08 15:09:55","publishedOnDateReadable":"September 8th, 2023"},"versionCreatedAt":"2023-01-04 16:59:09","video":"","vorDoi":"10.1038/s41598-023-37711-y","vorDoiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-37711-y","workflowStages":[]},"version":"v1","identity":"rs-2394606","journalConfig":"researchsquare"},"__N_SSP":true},"page":"/article/[identity]/[[...version]]","query":{"redirect":"/article/rs-2394606","identity":"rs-2394606","version":["v1"]},"buildId":"cBFmMYwuxLRRLfASyISRj","isFallback":false,"isExperimentalCompile":false,"dynamicIds":[84888],"gssp":true,"scriptLoader":[]}