Screening of Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) Genotypes for Adaptability in the Western Highlands of Cameroon

Abstract

An experiment was conducted from 20th April to 11th August 2016 at Upper Farm Bambui with 16 potato genotypes to select those with best performance as promising candidates for variety release. The treatments were arranged in a randomised complete blocked design with four replications. Data were collected on vegetative, disease and yield parameters and subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA). All results obtained were significantly different (P=0.05). The mean Leaf Area Index (LAI) ranged from 123.83± 7.00 (for variety Cipira) to 206.70± 25.49 (for genotypes 392639.34). Mean number of stems ranged from 3.60± 0.60 (for genotype 392039.4) to 7.20± 1.04 (for genotype 392639.34). Plant heights ranged from 34.40± 1.59cm (for variety Jacob) to 51.67± 4.39cm (for genotype 395011.13). Stem diameters ranged from 0.65± 0.09cm (for genotype 395011.12) to 0.91± 0.07cm (for genotypes 395524.9, 396241.4) and were superior to the check varieties. Late blight was most severe in the check varieties compared to the genotypes evaluated indicating that genotypes with minor genes were resistant to late blight than existing varieties selected with major genes. The rAUDPC was used to rank late blight severity and it ranged from 0.01± 0.01 (for genotypes 393617.64) to 0.59±0.00 (for check variety Jacob). There was an inverse correlation between yield and late blight severity. Low rates of bacterial wilt and virus incidence were obtained, with maximum bacterial wilt incidence of 8.8% for genotype 393633.34 and virus incidence of 26.7% for 392639.34. Five genotypes were selected with good yields compared to the check varieties. The best five genotypes were 393084.31 (23.33 ton/ha), 393633.34 (23.22 ton/ha), 395524.9 (20.78 ton/ha), 396036.201 (20.56 ton/ha) and 395011.13 (20.0 ton/ha), compare to 12.89 and 17.00 ton/ha for Cipira and Jacob respectively. These five genotypes are therefore recommended for further screening to develop new varieties.