Relationship Among Some Agronomical Characteristics in Potatoes

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to estimate simple correlation coefficients between morphological and agronomical characteristics of potato clones to be used in the early generations of a potato breeding program to be conducted in the coastal Aegean Region. A total of 21 potato clones and 2 control clones derived from meristem cultures were grown in the seedbeds in 2020. The design of the experiment was a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with 2 replications. The trial was planted on March 22, 2020 in the seedbeds in the Department of Field Crops of the Ege University. One single row plot 1.5 m length and 50 cm apart was used and four tubers were grown 30 cm in row spacing. The standard procedures of agricultural practices were applied and the trial was harvested on July 8, 2020. Variances of morphological and agronomical characteristics were obtained by applying variance analysis and controlled with the F test. When the morphological characteristics were evaluated; Clone 177 had highest means for plant height (74.9 cm) and stem number (4.5 number). The highest mean for branch number was obtained Clone 159 such as 10.0. The highest leaves number (73 number) was obtained from Clone 90 Clone 87 had the highest value for leaves length (5.0 cm). When the agronomical characteristics were evaluated; Clone 6/7 gave the highest mean for tuber number (20 number). While Clone 51 (65.6 g) had the highest for single tuber weight; Clone 159 had the highest value in terms of plant yield (795.4 g), plot yield (2.2 kg) and tuber width (4.7 cm). Clone 185 (5.8 cm) had the highest value for tuber length. Since morphological and agronomical characteristics had statistically significant variances, correlation coefficients to show the linear relationship between them were estimated and tested for significance. The following results were obtained: there were significant and positive r correlation coefficient between morphological and agronomical traits such as tuber number and plant yield (0.82), plot yield (0.65), plant height (0.45) between single tuber weight and plant yield (0.52) and plot yield (0.78), plant height (0.58), branch number (0.59). These positive and significant relationships can be used in selections for yield as an early generation test in a potato breeding.