Evaluation of Agronomic Traits, Yield Stability and Quality Properties of Potato Genotypes in Spring Potato Growing Areas of Iran

In this study, 33 pototao genotypes including 31 advanced potato clones obtained from breeding programs with two commercial cultivars Agria (suitable for French-fries) and Caesar (suitable for fresh eating) as controls were evaluated for agronomic traits, yield stability and quality properties using randomized complete block design with three replications in 2015-2018 in five experimental filed stioans; Karaj, Ardabil, Mashhad, Isfahan and Hamadan in Iran. Clones were propagated at Ardebil agricultural and natural resources research station in 2015 to supply required potato tubers for planting in five locations. During growth and after harvest, tuber plant-1 and tuber weight plant-1, plant height, main stem plant-1, tuber shape, depth of the eyes, tuber skin and flesh colour, duration of growth, deformed tubers, tuber growth cracks, tuber hollow heart, inner ring rot of tuber, change of raw tuber flesh colour and tuber dry matter percentage were measured in Ardabil and Hamadan, and total and marketable tuber yield in five locations; Ardabil, Hamadan, Karaj, Mashhad and Isfahan. Combined analysis of variance showed that genotype, year, location, location × year, year × genotype, location × genotype and location × year × genotype significantly affected total and marketable tuber yield. Clones no. 1 (1675), 5 (1375), 8 (5675) and 26 (1027) had the highest tuber yield, respectively. Based on the results of GGE bi-plot model, high yielding clones; no. 1 (1675) and no. 8 (5675) had high yield stability and medium-early maturity, and clones; no. 5 (1375) and no. 26 (1027) had average yield stability and medium-late maturity. Clones no. 5 (1375), no. 8 (5675) and no. 26 (1027) had high tuber dry matter percentage, light yellow flesh and skin colour, without deformed tubers, without tuber hollow heart, without tuber growth cracks, good coverage, low change in flesh colour of raw tuber, low and shallow eye depth. Finally, clones 1675, 1375, 5675 and 1027 were selected as promising clones with high tuber yield and yield stability. In 2021, clone 1675 released as new cultivar with the name of Takta and clone 1027 released with the name of Rona, and are commercially available to potaoto growers in Iran.