Selection of potato clones for tuber yield, vine maturity and frying quality

Development of Brazilian potato cultivars adapted to different growing conditions, production systems and regions of the country is very important to increase the competitiveness of the national potato chain. In this sense, the objective of this work was to verify the performance of advanced potato clones for tuber yield traits, vine maturity and frying quality. An experiment was carried out in Pelotas-RS in spring, 2014. A set of nine advanced potato clones and two control cultivars were evaluated using a randomized complete block design with four replicates. Plots consisted of single rows of 20 plants spaced at 0.80 m between rows and 0.30 m between plants. The data of each trait were submitted to the deviance analysis, estimated the genetic values and selected the best genotypes using selection indices of the sum of ranks and the lowest distance from the ideotype. Clones F131-08-26 and F183-08-01, and the check 'Asterix' were distinguished for yield of marketable tubers. F183-08-01 and the control stood out for specific gravity and average tuber weight. Clone F161-07-02 ranked among the best for specific gravity, frying color and vine maturity. F97-07-04 and F183-08-01 and the check 'Asterix' were the best according to the selection indices, however, would result in losses in the frying color and vine maturity traits.