The effect of year and genotype on productivity and quality of potato

Abstract

Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) is characterized by specific temperature requirements and develops best at about 20°C. High temperatures during the growing season cause an array of changes in potato plants, which affect its development and may lead to a drastic reduction in economic yield. Under natural conditions, drought and heat stress are two different types of abiotic stresses that occur in the field simultaneously or separately, especially in conditions without irrigation in potato production. This study aimed to examine the productivity of nine potato varieties in agro-ecological conditions of western Serbia and to find the genotypes that will give satisfactory and high yields. The field experiment was carried out with varieties: Cleopatra, Anuschka, Presto, Kuroda, Omega, Dita, Desiree, Roko and Jelly. The impact year and genotype on potato plants were tested during a four-year period (2010-2013). The final harvest was performed after the full maturity of plants in September. Our studies confirmed that potato marketable yield and total yield are greatly reduced at temperatures higher than optimal and deficit precipitation during the growing season. Here we demonstrated that the tested potato cultivar’s response to heat stress and drought in the growing season is dependent on the longer the adverse effects and the growth stage. The earlier a heat and drought occurs, the more negative the impact on the growth and productive traits of potatoes. The results obtained in this study indicate that among the tested cultivars Cleopatra was the most tolerant to heat and drought stress acting on the plants during the growing season. Our research shows that the total yield was not the only indicator of potato tolerance to abiotic stress during the growing season, but the assessment should also take into account the occurrence of secondary tuberization and physiological defects of tubers. These studies confirm that Cleopatra had the largest share (82%) of market tubers in relation to the total yield and to have the best predisposition for the highest economic yield of tubers. Our experiment showed that heat and drought tolerant potato cultivars could be used to mitigate the effects of global warming in Serbia and wider Western Balkans regions.