Evaluation of quantitative and qualitative characteristics of promising potato clones in Ardabil region, Iran

Qualitative and quantitative traits of 29 potato promising clones along with three commercial cultivars (Agria, Marfona and Lady Rozeta) were evaluated at Agricultural and Natural Resources Research Station of Ardabil during 2008 and 2009. The experiment was based on a randomized complete block design with three replications. During the growth period and after harvest, traits such as main stem number per plant, plant height, tuber number and weight per plant, tuber with <35 and 35-55 mm and >55 mm size number and weight, total and marketable tuber yield, dry matter percentage, baking type, hollow heart, tuber inner ring and discolored of raw tuber flesh after 24 hours were measured. Combined analysis of variance for quantitative traits showed that there were significant differences among promising clones and their interactions with year in total and marketable tuber yield, plant height, main stem number per plant, tuber number and weight per plant, marketable tuber weight per plant and dry matter percent. The results also showed that the clones 397082-10, 397097-2, 397082-2 and 396156-6 had higher total and marketable tuber yield, total and marketable tuber number and weight per plant comparing check cultivars. They also had uniform tuber, yellow skin and flesh color, shallow eyes, very little hollow heart, tuber inner crack and tuber inner ring, mid-late to late maturity and high dry matter. Also, 397082-10, 397097-2, 397082-2 and 396156-6 clones were considered as suitable clones for Ardebil region.