Experiments were conducted to evaluate alternative methods of dormancy breaking and sprouting potato seed tubers. Effects of GA3 (0, 10, 20 and 30 mg/kg) were evaluated in diffuse light storage (DLS), underground pit and polythene bags. In another experiment, effects of pre-storage treatments (pit, dark, cold and a control (DLS)) and pre-storage treatment durations (1, 2, 3, and 4 weeks) followed by DLS storage were assessed. Higher scores of sprouting, number of sprouts per tuber sprout length and sprout vigor score were observed in pit and polyethylene bags than in DLS. GA3 increased sprouting (%), number of sprouts per tuber, sprout length and vigor score in all the experiments. Upon further storage of tubers in DLS after removal from the pit, dormancy in all treatments ended in the fourth week. It is suggested that lower levels of GA3 of up to 20 mg/kg should be adopted for promotion of sprouting of potato seed tubers. Further storage in DLS for 3 weeks before planting is suggested for potato seed tubers sprouted using GA3 under pit conditions to improve the quality. Pit and dark pre-storage treatments led to increase in sprouting (%), number of sprouts per tuber, sprout length and vigor score. 100% sprouting of potato seed tubers was attained under pit and dark storage by the fourth week at all pre-storage treatment durations while dormancy ended after 6 weeks of storage in the control. Sprouting was suppressed during cold pre-storage treatment. Tubers under pit and dark pre-storage treatment developed longer sprouts than those in DLS and cold treatments. Sprout length in pit and dark conditions increased with increasing pre-storage treatment duration. Pit pre-storage treatment led to highest vigor scores. In pit and dark pre-storage treatment, vigor scores increased with increasing duration of pre-storage treatment while in the cold, vigor scores were reduced with longer pre-storage treatment duration. Pit and dark pre-storage treatments are recommended to end dormancy and promote sprouting of good quality potato seed tubers. Short pre-storage treatment durations of up to 1 week in pit and dark respectively followed by 2 weeks of DLS storage is recommended.
For a small number of tubers, I simply put them, rose end up, in a clear plastic box lined with damp towelling (box enclosed in a plastic bag to ensure high humidity). Put the box in an incubator in the dark at 20-25°C for 3-4 weeks. I found that usually broke dormancy easily without the need for hormone treatment.