Growth, tuber yield and quality of potato clones and cultivars

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the plant performance of two advanced potato clones compared to two standard cultivars. Field experiments were carried out in Canoinhas-SC, Pelotas-RS and Brasília-DF. The experimental design was in randomized blocks with four replications of plots composed of 44 useful plants plus borders. Four plant samples per plot were collect 30, 44, 56, 72, 86 and 100 days after planting. Morpho-agronomic characters were evaluated throughout the crop cycle, and at the end of the crop cycle tuber yield and frying quality were determined. There was a direct relationship between tuber yield and shoot development. For these characters, both clones F63-10-07 and F21-07-09 presented superior values compared to the standard cultivars in Pelotas, and these together with ‘Atlantic’ were superior to ‘Asterix’ in Canoinhas. In Brasilia, the standard cultivars showed greater shoot development, but the final marketable yield was not statistically different. F63-10-07 and ‘Atlantic’ have a lower stem number per plant, indicating the need to manage this character to adjust the stem density in the field.