Characterization of potato genotypes by chlorophyll fluorescence during plant aging in a Mediterranean environment.

Field experiments were conducted in Sicily (south Italy) during two seasons to characterize by chlorophyll (Chl) fluorescence four genotypes (Spunta, Sieglinde, Daytona, and Ninfa) of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) for off-season production during plant aging and to analyse the possible relation between Chl parameters and tuber yield. Chl fluorescence parameters [initial fluorescence (F0), maximum fluorescence (Fm), Fv/Fm, time in which maximal fluorescence occurs (Tmax)] gained from Kautsky kinetics and Chl content were measured weekly, from 5th to 6th leaf appearance to beginning of plant senescence in the first season and to full plant senescence in the second season. F0 and Fv/Fm were the most reliable Chl fluorescence parameters for the definition of genotypic differences while Chl content and Tmax were the most reliable Chl parameters to predict plant aging. Tuber yield was highly correlated with Chl content,most reliable Chl parameters to predict plant aging. Tuber yield was highly correlated with Chl content, Tmax, F0, and Fm.