Genetic parameters associated with tuber yield and tuber appearance traits of potatoes in early generations of selection

The knowledge of genetic parameters of traits, in early generation selection, is important for breeding programs to define strategies and obtain success. The objective of this study was to estimate genetic parameters of yield components and tuber appearance traits in early selection generations of potatoes and their implications in the selection process. Twelve segregating potato families originated from crosses between two groups of parents of the Embrapa potato breeding program were evaluated. Group 1 was formed by foreign potato parents: Pukara, Asterix, Rioja, and Caesar; and group 2, by national parents: Eliza, C1730-07-94, and C1750-15-95. The experiment was conducted in autumn seasons of 2012 and 2013. A randomized complete block design with three replications was used. Considering all traits together, Pukara/Eliza, Asterix/Eliza, and Rioja/Eliza families had the highest means on a large number of tuber appearance and yield traits. The results of this study suggest that selection may be applied with mild to moderate intensity in the seedling generation for skin texture, tuber general appearance, tuber number, average tuber weight and total tuber yield, based on the moderate to high heritability estimated on the seedling generation. The highest selection gains were for skin texture, tuber general appearance, tuber number, average tuber weight and total tuber yield.