Differences in Dry Matter Accumulation and Distribution Patterns between Pre-Elite Seed and Certified Seed of Virus-Free Potato

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

Comments to Author

 

I have reviewed the manuscript entitle “Differences in Dry Matter Accumulation and Distribution Patterns Between Pre-elite Seed and Certified Seed of Virus-free Potato”. They give some general idea about dry matter accumulation and distribution based on their experiments.

This manuscript will be interesting if they provide some physiological basis of this difference. What is the worth of this manuscript?

 

However, I have some observation to publish this manuscript.

 

Ø  Abstract is not completed. You have to provide all information in abstract precisely. You should include treatment and design of experiment.

Ø  Introduction is very poor. They have to improve the introduction and provide more information.

Ø  What is the novelty of your research? You have clearly mention in Introduction.

Ø  What is the basis of fertilization? Give reference.

Ø  Font of Table 1 is different.

Ø  Discussion also poor. You have to discuss based on other research.

Ø  In most of the part of discussion section, author repeat their result section. Author can repeat but in short scale.

Ø  Serious problems found in references section.

Ø  Authors should read the authors guideline carefully. They make some mistake due overlook the author guideline.

Ø  Few of the references are old. You have to use current references.

Ø  Some of the references are irrelevant. Use relevant references.

Ø  Author should avoid the long sentences. Make the long sentences to simple sentences.

Ø  Follow the Author guidelines for ‘References’.

Ø  Also see the attached manuscript for minor corrections.

 

Additional comments

 

1.     What is the main question addressed by the research?

The main objectives of this research is to see the dry matter accumulation and distribution between Pre-elite Seed and Certified Seed of Virus-free Potato.
2. Do you consider the topic original or relevant in the field? Does it address a specific gap in the field?

This is a very generalized but original topic and relevant to field. I have no question about the originality of this research. However, this type of generalized research is not suitable for this type of journal. This research is suitable for other low impact factor journal of MDPI.  
3. What does it add to the subject area compared with other published material?

This research will provide some general information to researcher.
4. What specific improvements should the authors consider regarding the methodology? What further controls should be considered?

I have no question about the methodology of this research. They should add reference for fertilizer dose.
5. Are the conclusions consistent with the evidence and arguments presented and do they address the main question posed?

Conclusion is relevant to the topic.
6. Are the references appropriate?

They should improve references section. Please see my previous comments about references.
7. Please include any additional comments on the tables and figures.

Font size of table 1 is different from the manuscript. Others are okay.

Comments for author File: Comments.pdf

Moderate editing of English language is essential

Author Response

Please see the attachment.

Author Response File: Author Response.docx

Reviewer 2 Report

The manuscript “Differences in Dry Matter Accumulation and Distribution Patterns Between Pre-elite Seed and Certified Seed of Virus-free Potato” is dealing with comparison of four varieties of virus free potatoes grown in the field. The research include pre-elite and certified potato seeds. The results of current study revealed that plants derived from pre-elite seeds had a slower growth process, a longer growth period, and lower dry matter accumulation in various organs and whole plants in comparison to plants derived from certified seeds. Authors concluded that the harvest time of potatoes derived from pre-elite seeds should be extended and increasing the proportion of dry matter allocated to roots and stems in the early growth stages can effectively increase potato yield.

The results of the manuscript has some merit and falls in a scope of the journal Horticulturae. The manuscript can be accepted after minor mainly spelling and typological corrections which are highlighted in text.

Lines 99, 100, 104,192, 216, 219, 280-281 space omitted or should be deleted

Lines 101-102 Don’t start the sentence with number. There is no subject in this sentence, rewrite please.

Figures 1,3,4,5 Describe in legend the abbreviations CC, FC, XC, CC and CP, FP, XP and CP

Figure 1 prepare histograms with same maximum values for Y axis…i.e. fit all Y axis in left histograms to 25g and to 50g in right histograms

Figure 3 and 4 Is it necessary to present description with lines and dots since the varieties are presented with different colors?

Line 307 delete synthesis

Comments for author File: Comments.pdf

Author Response

Please see the attachment.

Author Response File: Author Response.docx

Reviewer 3 Report

1. It is necessary to indicate the technology of tillage before planting tubers when conducting research, the fractional composition of the soil;

2. It is necessary to indicate the brand and type of the planting machine when conducting research, the quality indicators of its work (since the traumatization of tubers, the area of  tuber nutrition - which affects their yield and dry matter yield) depend on the quality indicators of the machine - similar additions must be indicated when harvesting: how was the extraction of tubers from the soil?

3. How was the desiccation of the tops of the potato plant carried out, the length of the removal of the stem of the plant?

Comments for author File: Comments.pdf

Author Response

Please see the attachment.

Author Response File: Author Response.docx

Reviewer 4 Report

Dear Authors,

Please find my suggestions blow.

 

This is very promising study which is dealing with investigation of dry matter accumulation and distribution in two different potato seeds.

 

Make abstract more direct. Abstract is too long.

The sentence which starts in line 56 and ends in line 62 is unclear. Make two sentences.

 

What are climate conditions in this part of Chine especially in December when you conducted study? Highlight more about it.

 

Did you treat potatoes with pesticides?

 

What was the waiting period after treatment of potatoes with preparations for protection against pests?

 

In the section 2.3.1. the first sentence is long. Make more sentences.

 

In the section results you repeat every number which is possible to read from table and figures which you present. Make section results more direct and highlight in text the most important facts related to your findings.

 

In the Figure 1 missing the name of x label of some diagrams.

 

In the Figure 2 missing the name of x label of some diagrams.

 

Explain findings from section 3.2.3. related to different growing process gradual increase and S shaped changed curve. What is reason for it differences?

 

What is importance of this study related to practical application?

 

Title of section 3.4. missing word matter.

 

Find more literature sources to compare with your results.  

 

The sentence which starts in line 305 and ends in line 310 is unclear. Make two or more sentences.

 

The sentence which starts in line 320 and ends in line 325 is unclear. Make two or more sentences.

 

Wish you all the best in future work.

Author Response

Please see the attachment.

Author Response File: Author Response.docx

Reviewer 5 Report

The article is congruent among its different sections, and clear enough to be understood and easy to read.

The data and information shown have high scientific relevance for scholars and people interested in this topic.

Though, authors need to improve the Title and Legends of all the Tables and Figures present in it.

Tables and Figures ought to be completely explained by themselves; the reader should be able to understand them 100% without the need of reading or looking forward the information in the text. This way of showing Tables and Figures will be highly improved the article.

Finally, need to standardize de way of writing the References.

Please, see file attached. 

Comments for author File: Comments.pdf

Author Response

Please see the attachment.

Author Response File: Author Response.docx

Reviewer 6 Report

Major comments

1)     The authors have determined tubers weight and volume. Taking into account that tubers’ density (m/V) is directly connected with the accumulation of starch, the differences in this parameter, if any, between pre-elite and certified potatoes should be discussed. According to Table 4 data Chuanyu 117 cv provides the highest differences in tubers density between pre-elite and certified potatoes.

2)     Indicate peculiarities/differences of early and medium maturity pre-elite and certified potatoes

3)     Line 388 ‘In actual potato production, the harvest time of potatoes, especially the pre-elite seeds, should be extended, and the proportion of dry matter allocated to roots and stems should be increased in the early growth stages, which would promote the distribution of dry matter to tubers in the late growth stages and ultimately improve the yield of virus-free potato seeds.’- add in the discussion of possible methods for the increase of dry matter accumulation in early growth stages

4)     Starch may affect the dynamics of pants growth. May you provide the information about starch content in the pre-elite and certified seeds before planting for the cultivars used?

 

Minor comments

5)    

Fig.3,4 delete duplication of indexes. Use either  circles , triangles, squares, or lines with different colors, but not both

6)     Tables 2,3- add a separation line between pre-elite and certified data to simplify the perception of the results- as you have done for Table 4

7)     Table 3- decipher all the parameters used in the Table note- just repeat the data, presented in Table 2, so that each Table may be used separately by the readers

8)     Line 265 ‘The dry matter accumulation rate reflects the ability of potatoes to accumulate dry matter’- it is obvious. Is it necessary to write this sentence?

9)     Line 294 ‘114.705 %’- better write ‘114.71 %’

10)  Use abbreviations of the journals in the reference list

11)  Ref, 9.10,18 in the reference list- use italics for plants (Solanum lycopersicum, etc)

12)  Don’t use capital letters in ref.33

Author Response

Please see the attachment.

Author Response File: Author Response.docx

Round 2

Reviewer 4 Report

Dear Authors,

Thank you very much for revised version of manuscript and accepted suggestions, manuscript is now improved.

Wish you all the best in future work,