Phenotypic characterisation of potato (Solanum tuberosum) genotypes in Uganda
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Date
2017
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
South African Journal of Plant and Soil
Abstract
Identification of genetic variation and interrelationships among germplasm collections is essential for parental
selection and trait identification among parents for use in breeding programmes. The aim of this study was to
characterise 48 potato genotypes to identify suitable parents for crop improvement purposes. Genotypes were
evaluated in the field using an alpha lattice design with three replications at the Kachwekano and Karengyere
research stations in Uganda. Site had significant effects on genotype performance for all measured parameters.
Genotypic effects were significant (p < 0.01) for total tuber yield, main stem number and plant height. The mean
tuber yield for the two sites was 29.8 t ha−1 and tuber yield was higher in Kachwekano than Karengyere. The highestyielding
genotype in Kachwekano was 396038.105 (54.5 t ha−1) and in Karengyere was NAKPOT5 (50.9 t ha−1).
Significant positive correlations (p ≤ 0.001) were observed between tuber yield and plant height; duration of flowering,
and days to flowering and plant height. The most stable genotypes with regard to tuber yield were Rutuku, 395112.32,
395017.14 and 393220.54. Cluster analysis revealed three principal clusters with nine subclusters. Variation for the
different traits exhibited by genotypes in this study should be exploited in crop improvement programmes.
Description
Keywords
Agromorphological, Genetic diversity, Genotype, Phenotypic traits, Potato
Citation
Prossy Namugga, Julia Sibiya, Rob Melis & Alex Barekye (2017): Phenotypic characterisation of potato (Solanum tuberosum) genotypes in Uganda, South African Journal of Plant and Soil, DOI: 10.1080/02571862.2017.1370561