Performance of tetraploid biofortified potato clones in Rwanda

Abstract

The potential of biofortified crops and their critical role in Rwandan diets motivated the Ministry of Agriculture through Rwanda Agriculture and Animal Resources Development Board (RAB) to adopt a national policy of combating micronutrients’ deficiencies by developing and releasing fortified crop varieties. In this context, 37 biofortified potato (Solanum tuberosum) clones were introduced from the International Potato Center (CIP) and evaluated for two growing seasons in four agroecological zones in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. The evaluation was conducted on the vegetative development traits, root yield (ton/ha), dry matter content (%), iron and zinc (mg/kg) content, flesh color, processing qualities, and taste. The average yield varied between 11.5 and 20.8 ton/ha for biofortified potato clones, while the local checks revealed a yield ranging between 21.5 and 21.8 ton/ha. The dry matter content was between 18.9% and 25.9%, while the local check revealed a dry matter content ranging between 22.4% and 25.4%. The iron and zinc contents ranging between 11.51–27.84 mg/kg and 22.39–43.57 mg/kg was observed on tested bifortifed potato clones, while these contents were ranging between 5.23–8.12 mg/kg and 19.17–21.88 mg/kg for local checks, respectively. Five biofortified clones (CIP312507.311, CIP312764.013, CIP312721.169, CIP312735.253, and CIP312682.042) revealed a chipping quality similar to Kinigi, the most popular potato variety in Rwanda. Regarding the culinary test, the clone CIP312725.057 revealed a bitter taste, 10 clones were ranked as very well, and two clones were ranked as good. Regarding the farmers’ feedback, seven clones, namely, CIP312764.013, CIP312721.169, CIP312735.253, CIP312682.042, CIP312721.038, CIP312621.069, and CIP312637.132, were ranked as very good including the local checks Kinigi and Kirundo. Three clones (CIP312507.311, CIP312725.048, and CIP312721.286) were ranked as good, while the clones CIP312507.312 and CIP312725.057 were ranked as bad. In this study, 10 good clones were selected for further evaluation for release as the first biofortified potato varieties in Rwanda or used in crossing blocks for population improvement.

Harnessing potato and sweetpotato innovations for resilient and healthier agri‐food systems in Africa

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Potato and sweetpotato breeding at the International Potato Center: approaches, outcomes and the way forward

“…This is on average 50% higher than in current modern varieties grown in Peru (0.3 mg/100 g FW). The tetraploid hybrids have been also tested in Rwanda, where promising candidates suitable for local conditions were identified (Rukundo et al 2023 ).…”