Repeatability of family means in early generations of potato under heat stress

Abstract

The selection of potato clones for yield is usually effective from the second clonal generation. It would however be ideal to select from the seedling generation (SG) or the first clonal generation (FCG). The aim of this study was to evaluate the repeatability of selection at the family level performed in the early generations with the subsequent generations, for tuber yield and specific gravity in the warm season. Thirty families were evaluated in the SG, FCG and the second, third and fourth clonal generation, without any selection. In this way, adjusted means of the 30 families were obtained for each generation. Selections were simulated independently in the different family generations, and then the repeatability of these families among generations verified, using the same selection intensity. The results showed that the family selection in the SG and FCG for specific gravity and in the FCG for tuber yield is efficient, at mild as well as warm temperatures.