ASSOCIATIONS OF SOME LOCAL AND EXOTIC IRISH POTATO (Solanum tuberosum L.) VARIETIES IN THE WESTERN HIGHLAND OF CAMEROON

Abstract

Irish potato production is a vital source of income for many smallholder farmers in Cameroon. However, paucity in viable potato seeds for planting is a setback to the production chain. Consequently, farmers have resulted into exotic varieties (Arsenal, Kondor, Safari, and Vogue) which have not been evaluated yet for adaptability in the Cameroonian agroecological conditions. The objective of this study was to evaluate the closeness and relatedness of these exotic varieties to locally adapted varieties (Banso and Cipira) as first step in ascertaining their adaptability and in view of exchanges for breeding programs. A randomized complete block design field study was conducted in Bamenda, North West region of Cameroon in 2021. Amongst the characters tested, strong correlations (P < .05) were observed between plant emergence and plant height (r = 0.575, P < .01), number of stems and plant vigour (r = 0.698, P < 0.01), number of tubers and plant height (r = 0.795, P < 0.01), and number of tubers and plant vigour (r = 0.747, P < 0.01). Growth and yield parameters were loaded in principal component 1 (PC1) while disease parameters were loaded in PC2. Biplot showed strong similarities between Banso, Cipira (locally adapted varieties), Kondor and Arsenal (exotic varieties) in overall growth and yield parameters. All exotic varieties showed strong closeness to disease parameters. Local adaptive breeding programs in Cameroon for exotic varieties such as Kondor and Arsenal should strongly consider Banso variety for growth parameters and Cipira for yield parameters.