Physiological and Biochemical Parameters of Leaves for Evaluation of the Potato Yield
, Elena Bogdanova 1, Viktor Nesterov 1, Alexey Bakunov 2, Alexey Milekhin 2, Sergei Rubtsov 2 and Nadezhda Dmitrieva 2
Round 1
Reviewer 1 Report
The paper is very interesting, with useful results for the management of the potatoes crop.
The abstract can bring the objective and what was evaluated as clearer. What was studied? 3 maturation groups studied in 3 years? How was it structured for the statistical evaluation? (what was the design, plots?). The 24 varieties are not specified further.
Introduction includes all aspects that lead to the objective.
In the material and methods were not clear baseline issues regarding to the evaluation area in the field (experimental or commercial field?), experimental design, plot arrangement in the field. What are the 24 varieties? Was there no difference between them? Why were they created in a grouped way?
It would be interesting if it were possible to specify what these varieties would be for further clarification within each group.
The discussion is relevant. The conclusion meets the objective proposed by the work.
There are occasional errors in the references regarding the journal's rules.
Author Response
On detail, we offer the following responses:
Reviewer 1: The abstract can bring the objective and what was evaluated as clearer. What was studied? 3 maturation groups studied in 3 years? How was it structured for the statistical evaluation? (what was the design, plots?). The 24 varieties are not specified further.
Author: abstract has been revised
Environmental factors lead to a sharp decline in the potato yield, one of the most valuable agricultural crops. The aim of the study was to investigate the morphological, physiological, and biochemical parameters of leaves to evaluate the yield of Solanum tuberosum L. We conducted 3-year experiments with 24 varieties of potatoes, differing in ripeness groups (early ripening, mid-early ripening and mid ripening). 3D modeling method showed the yield of early varieties negatively correlated with an increase in temperatures (r = –0.97). The soil moisture content positively correlated with the yield of medium-early varieties (r = 0.97). The soil moisture content and the tuber numbers in mid-season varieties had a negative correlation (r = –0.96). The yield of early potato varieties is associated with a high content of pigments and number of stomata; that of mid-early varieties – with the stability of the membrane system; and the yield of mid-season varieties - with the highest proline content and low LPO levels. Physiological and biochemical parameters influence the course of production process and potato yield as a result.
Reviewer 1: experimental design, plot arrangement in the field.
Author: Each variety was set in two rows with the spacing 60 cm and the distance between plants 35 cm. There were four repetitions with 50 tubers each. Tubers were planted in the second decade of May.
Reviewer 1: experimental or commercial field?
Author: potatoes were planted in the experimental fields of Samara Scientific Research Agricultural Institute, a brunch of Samara Federal Research Scientific Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences in 2019–2021.
Reviewer 1: What are the 24 varieties?
Author: The objects of investigation were potato plants of various ripening groups: early variety (Barin, Korchma, Kupets, Terra, Udacha), medium-early variety (Grand, Debut, Calibr, Krasavchik, Narymskaya nochka, Krasa Meshchery, Serdolik, Sudarynya, Tretyakovka, Elixred), mid-season (Augustine, Brusnica, Kumach, Varyag, Zhigulevskiy, Severnoye siyanie, Siverskiy, Signal, Utro). added
Reviewer 1: Was there no difference between them?
Author: varieties differed according to ripeness groups
Reviewer 1: Why were they created in a grouped way?
Author: one of the tasks was to study the morphological, physiological and biochemical characteristics of Solanum tuberosum L. and their influence on the yield of genotypes of different maturity under changing growing conditions.
Reviewer 1: It would be interesting if it were possible to specify what these varieties would be for further clarification within each group.
Author: Obtained results can be used for predict the yield of different potato varieties depending on the weather conditions of the growing region. The physiological and biochemical leaves including the quantitative content of pigments, the level of LPO, the accumulation of low-molecular antioxidants, and the state of membrane systems can influence the course of the production process and thus the yield of potato. The regulation mechanisms of processes in cells depend on the ripening time of a variety. In order to increase productivity and to improve the potato quality, it is necessary to take into account the peculiarities of the regional climatic conditions including temperature anomalies and use the varieties of a certain ripening group.
Reviewer 1: There are occasional errors in the references regarding the journal's rules.
Author: is corrected.
Author Response File: 
Author Response.docx
Reviewer 2 Report
In Introduction, the authors could explore the potato production in Russia. The importance and main cultivars more produce.
In M&M, the information of climate could be presented as a figure. In Figure 1, please explain what is “V” and other in the Figure.
Cultivars were cultivated in the same soil
Explain when each cultivar was planted.
Where is soil characterization?
Which were potato managements?
Is there irrigation?
In Results,
In all Tables and results, the results could be described by each cultivar
Figure 6 and 7, the model describes which y-variable
Author Response
On detail, we offer the following responses:
Reviewer 2: In M&M, the information of climate could be presented as a figure. In Figure 1, please explain what is “V” and other in the Figure.
Author: the authors think that figures are more show than tables. “V” it is months – V – May; VI – June; VII – July; VIII – August.
Reviewer 2: Cultivars were cultivated in the same soil
Author: Yes, the soil was terraced chernozem, ordinary, low-humus, medium-thick, heavy loamy. Field experiments were carried out on plots of 500 m2 in a crop rotation (forecrop was spring wheat) using conventional agricultural technologies without fertilisation and additional irrigation at natural day length.
Reviewer 2: Explain when each cultivar was planted.
Author: Each variety was set in two rows with the spacing 60 cm and the distance between plants 35 cm. There were four repetitions with 50 tubers each. Tubers were planted in the second decade of May.
Reviewer 2: Where is soil characterization?
Author: the soil was terraced chernozem, ordinary, low-humus, medium-thick, heavy loamy. Field experiments were carried out on plots of 500 m2 in a crop rotation (forecrop was spring wheat) using conventional agricultural technologies without fertilisation and additional irrigation at natural day length.
Reviewer 2: Which were potato managements? Is there irrigation?
Author: Field experiments were carried out on plots of 500 m2 in a crop rotation (forecrop was spring wheat) using conventional agricultural technologies without fertilisation and additional irrigation at natural day length.
Reviewer 2: In all Tables and results, the results could be described by each cultivar.
Author: the major task was to study the morphological, physiological and biochemical characteristics of Solanum tuberosum L. and their influence on the yield of genotypes of different maturity under changing growing conditions. So the varieties were grouped.
Reviewer 2: Figure 6 and 7, the model describes which y-variable
Author: Figure 7 has been replaced!
Figure 6: x-Tmax, y-soil moisture, z- the yield of the potato; Figure 7: x - photosynthetic pigments, MDA, GL, y - stomata, proline, PL, z - the yield of the potato.
Author Response File: Author Response.docx
Round 2
Reviewer 2 Report
it is fine now
Author Response
Please see the attachment.
Author Response File: Author Response.docx
