Cutting Tubers During Planting Significantly Influences the Yield of Potato Solanum Tuberosum L.

This study, conducted in the Niayes region of Senegal, evaluated the effect of cutting potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) tubers on growth and yield. Two treatments, each repeated three times, were used: 50 g tubers cut in half (T1) and whole 50 g tubers (T2). Parameters such as plant emergence, plant height, number of shoots and yield were measured. The results demonstrate that using whole tubers significantly improves all measured agronomic parameters compared to cut tubers: emergence rate (92% vs. 85.7%), plants height (71 cm vs. 64.3 cm), number of shoots per plant (4.98 vs. 4.17), and yield (39.33 T/ha vs. 30.33 T/ha). These differences are statistically significant. This shows that, under the soil and climate conditions of the trial, planting whole, pre-germinated tubers is the most advisable option. It allows for better initial vigor, reduces physiological stress and disease risks, thus maximizing productivity. Although cutting can be considered to save planting material, it then requires specific practices to mitigate its drawbacks.