Genetic analysis of tuber yield, processing and nutritional traits in potato (Solanum tuberosum)

Abstract

The present study was aimed to assess the genetic analysis of tuber yield, processing and nutritional traits in potatoes based on evaluation of 23 genotypes during the winter crop season in sub-tropical plains of India. Characters, viz. reducing sugars followed by chip colour score, phenols, soluble proteins, sucrose, total free amino acids and marketable tuber yield had high genotypic and phenotypic variation, heritability and genetic advance as percent of mean and can be improved by practising selection in potato breeding programme. The results revealed that table potatoes possessed high yield and high phenols content. Whereas, processing potatoes recorded moderate tuber yield, but had high soluble protein and high ascorbic acid, low reducing sugars, low sucrose, low phenols and low total free  amino acids. Study suggests that genotypes with moderate to high tuber dry matter, high soluble protein and high ascorbic acid should be selected for improving nutritionally superior table potatoes.