Yield of potato clones with late candelilla resistance

Abstract

Potato cultivation represents the fourth most important in the world. Its production is limited by the late candelilla [Phytophthora infestans (Mont.) de Bary], which is a devastating disease. In order to evaluate the severity of the late candelilla and the yield of potato clones, a trial was carried out at Trujillo State, Venezuela. Five potato clones from the Centro Internacional de la Papa (CIP) and two varieties of commercial potatoes were used. The trial was established in a randomized complete block experimental design with four replications. The area under the disease progress curve (AUDPC) and the yield (kg.ha^-1) were determined. Statistical analysis and mean test for yield were performed. The AUDPC values of the clones ranged from 88 to 429, with the lowest shown by clone 397079-6. The control varieties had AUDPC values of 455 for Tibisay and 4,462 in Granola, the latter with high severity for being susceptible to the disease. In the analysis of the tuber yield (kg.ha^-1), significant differences (P≤0.05) were observed between the genetic materials evaluated. Clone 397079-6 was promising, with a low AUDPC value due to the low severity of the disease, and a yield of 22,980 kg.ha^-1, followed by clone 393612-1 (128 AUDPC and 22,530 kg.ha^-1). These clones have potentialities and are an alternative for new potato varieties in Venezuela.