Traits In Potato Research Articles

Combining conventional QTL analysis and whole-exome capture-based bulk-segregant analysis provides new genetic insights into tuber sprout elongation and dormancy release in a diploid potato population

Tuber dormancy and sprouting are commercially important potato traits as long-term tuber storage is necessary to ensure year-round availability. Premature dormancy release and sprout growth in tubers during storage can result in a significant deterioration in product quality. In addition, the main chemical sprout suppressant chlorpropham has been withdrawn in Europe, necessitating alternative approaches for controlling sprouting. Breeding potato cultivars with longer dormancy and slower sprout growth is a desirable goal, although this must be tempered by the needs of the seed potato industry, where dormancy break and sprout vigour are required for rapid emergence. We have performed a detailed genetic analysis of tuber sprout growth using a diploid potato population derived from two highly heterozygous parents. A dual approach employing conventional QTL analysis allied to a combined bulk-segregant analysis (BSA) using a novel potato whole-exome capture (WEC) platform was evaluated. Tubers were assessed for sprout growth in storage at six time-points over two consecutive growing seasons. Genetic analysis revealed the presence of main QTL on five chromosomes, several of which were consistent across two growing seasons. In addition, phenotypic bulks displaying extreme sprout growth phenotypes were subjected to WEC sequencing for performing BSA. The combined BSA and WEC approach corroborated QTL locations and served to narrow the associated genomic regions, while also identifying new QTL for further investigation. Overall, our findings reveal a very complex genetic architecture for tuber sprouting and sprout growth, which has implications both for potato and other root, bulb and tuber crops where long-term storage is essential.

Review on Breeding Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) Genotypes for Processing Quality Traits

Potato (Solanum tuberosum L .) is a rich source of protein, energy, vitamins and minerals. Potato is in the family Solanaceae with chromosome numbers vary from diploid (2n = 2x = 24) to hexaploid (2n = 6x = 72). In Ethiopia, the major objectives of potato breeding was targeted at selection of clones for high yield, wide adaptability and resistance for late blight, hence processing qualitative traits were not the main targets in potato breeding program still near future. Therefore, the objective of this review article is to discuss breeding potato genotypes for desirable processing quality traits. Tuber shape is a syndrome of many characters that considers the length/width ratio for describing the overall shape; it varies from compressed/round to long. The yellow pigment in potato tuber flesh is caused by various carotenoids that may protect against cancer, cardiovascular disease, and macular eye degeneration. The genetics of morphological traits are Tuber flesh color, skin color and tuber shape and eye depth. To minimize waste, varieties with long tubers are preferred for French fries and varieties with round tubers are ideal for crisps. Eye depth is an important trait of tuber quality because deep eyes affect the appearance of tubers and add to the cost of peeling in processing factories. Tuber quality traits in potato are specific gravity, dry mater content, starch content, Glycolalkaloids and tuber size uniformity. Specific gravity of potatoes is commonly used by the potato processing industry as a tool for quick estimation of dry matter content, as both are highly correlated. Tuber dry matter content and specific gravity significantly influenced by the interaction effect of growing environment and cultivars. Processing quality usually has relatively low to moderately high heritability, depending on the progenitor materials. Therefore, multiple location tests over several years are often required in order to determine whether a clone has indeed a high processing quality. Keywords: Potato breeding; Tuber quality; Dry mater content; Specific gravity; Processing. DOI: 10.7176/JNSR/12-13-03 Publication date: July 31 st 2021

Overview on domestication, breeding, genetic gain and improvement of tuber quality traits of potato using fast forwarding technique (GWAS): A review

AbstractTuber quality is the subject of great interest among the processing industry and consumers worldwide. Being a polygenic trait, its enhancement requires a systematic understanding of their genetic complexity. Molecular genetics offered valuable solutions to the challenging endeavours of slow genetic gains in conventional potato breeding. With the advent of linkage maps, molecular markers and availability of next‐generation sequencing (NGS) platforms, the plant breeding programmes worldwide have achieved faster genetic gain due to marker‐assisted selection (MAS). Linkage mapping detects QTLs in biparental population; alternatively, genomic and phenotypic differences can be identified by extensive genotyping and phenotyping of a germplasm panel depicting natural biological diversity to reveal QTLs, in other words, marker‐trait associations. Due to advancements in the fields of genome sequencing and bioinformatics, researchers have preferred to use the genome‐wide association mapping (GWAS) method for detecting QTLs due to its higher resolution. In potato, GWAS identified causative allele(s)/loci and provides reliable platform for the development of diagnostic SNP markers by employing Infinium SolCAP SNP array. Later, KASP validation markers can be developed to be used as selection markers in order to bred improved cultivars. The current review focuses on recently used approaches for genetic analyses (linkage mapping or association mapping) regarding potato tuber quality traits, provides comprehensive knowledge about breeding, genetic gain, basic genetic and statistical GWAS concepts and subsequently highlights the genetic discoveries using GWAS and KASP markers.

Effect of the diverse combinations of useful microbes and chemical fertilizers on important traits of potato.

The belowground soil environment is an active space for microbes, particularly Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi (AMF) and P hosphate Solubilizing Bacteria (PSB) that can colonize with roots of higher plants. In the present experiment, we evaluated the combination of microbial inoculants with the different doses of urea and superphosphate in a complete randomized block design (CRBD). Three different doses of urea and superphosphate were tested, i.e., recommended dose, 75% of the recommended dose and 125% of the recommended dose, independently and in combination with three microbial groups viz. Glomus mosseae (AMF), Bacillus subtilis (PSB) and Nitrifying microorganisms (Nitrosomonas + Nitrobacter, NN). Overall, there were 16 treatment combinations used, and studied the number of tubers per plant, the weight of tubers, moisture content, and the number of nodes per tubers which were best in treatment comprising of AMF + PSB + NN + 75% of urea + superphosphate. From our results, it is suggested for the growers to use a lesser quantity of fertilizers from the recommended dose along with some bioinoculants to maintain the soil fertility and also to achieve the yield targets by decreasing the cost of chemical fertilizers.

Effects of Blended NPSB Fertilizer on Yield and Yield Related Traits of Potato (<i>Solanum tuberosum</i> L.) Varieties in Oda Bultum District, Eastern Ethiopia

Potato is an important food and cash crop in eastern Ethiopia including Oda Bultum District. However, there is no information on the role of blended NPSB fertilizer required to produce tuber yield and tuber quality traits. A field experiment was conducted in Oda Bultum District, under rainfed during 2018 cropping season, with the objectives of assessing the effects of blended NPSB fertilizer rates on yield-related traits and tuber yield of potato varieties and to estimate the cost-benefit of the application of blended NPSB fertilizer in potato production. The treatments consisted of two potato varieties (Bubu and Gudanie) and six rates of NPSB (0, 100, 150, 200, 250 and 300 kg NPSB ha^-1) fertilizer. The experiment was laid out as a Randomized Complete Block Design in a 6 x 2 factorial arrangement and replicated three times. Analysis of variance revealed that the two main factors; blended NPSB and variety had a significant effect on all traits except that fertilizer and variety had a non-significant effect on days to 50% emergence. Interaction of blended NPSB fertilizer and variety had a significant effect on total tuber number/hill, average tuber weight, total and marketable tuber yields (t ha^-1). Gudanie variety emerged, flowered and matured earlier than Bubu. Early flowering of the crop was observed in a plot which did not receive fertilizer while the application of NPSB fertilizer delayed flowering and maturity of plants that received highest rates NPSB fertilizer (200, 250 and 300 kg ha^-1). The highest total tuber number hill^-1 (16.00) was obtained from Gudanie variety at the application of 200 kg ha^-1 NPSB fertilizer. The highest proportion of small size tubers were obtained from plots than received no fertilizer while the largest proportion of large size tubers were obtained from plots that received 200, 250 and 300 kg ha^-1 NPSB fertilizer. The highest total and marketable tuber yields of 30.55 and 27.22 t ha^-1, respectively were obtained from Gudanie variety with the application of 200 kg ha^-1 NPSB fertilizer. Gudanie had a significantly higher specific gravity (1.085g/cm³), tuber dry matter (21.98%) and starch content (15.82%) while plants produced tubers with highest specific gravity, tuber dry matter and starch content due to the application of 200 kg ha^-1 NPSB fertilizer. Moreover, the highest net benefit of 116,330.24 Birr ha^-1 with 4066% marginal rate of return were obtained from growing of Gudanie variety with the application of 200 kg ha^-1 NPSB plus 100 kg ha^-1 urea fertilizer that could be recommended for production of potato in the study area.

Computer Vision and Less Complex Image Analyses to Monitor Potato Traits in Fields.

Field phenotyping of crops has recently gained considerable attention leading to the development of new protocols for recording plant traits of interest. Phenotyping in field conditions can be performed by various cameras, sensors, and imaging platforms. In this chapter, practical aspects as well as advantages and disadvantages of aboveground phenotyping platforms are highlighted with a focus on drone-based imaging and relevant image analysis for field conditions. It includes useful planning tips for experimental design as well as protocols, sources, and tools for image acquisition, preprocessing, feature extraction, and machine learning highlighting the possibilities with computer vision. Several open and free resources are given to speed up data analysis for biologists.This chapter targets professionals and researchers with limited computational background performing or wishing to perform phenotyping of field crops, especially with a drone-based platform. The advice and methods described focus on potato but can mostly be used for field phenotyping of any crops.

Electromagnetic water enhanced metabolism and agro‐physiological responses of potato (Solanum tuberosum L) under saline conditions

AbstractSaline irrigation compromises the utility of agricultural soil, limiting ion uptake and productivity worldwide. Electromagnetic water might provide a possible solution to enhance ion mobilization. This study was conducted to investigate the effects of saline irrigation on yield, metabolism and some physiological traits of potato over two growing seasons. The drip experiment treatments comprised the following: saline water (SW), electromagnetic saline water (MSW) and ground water (C) applied to three potato varieties (Spunta, Bellini and Alaska) since vegetative growth stage (12 days after planting). Results showed that soil salinity was reduced by 25% under MSW relative to SW. Both C and MSW had a promotional effect on root growth. Tuber number was increased with MSW in Spunta and Alaska. The highest values of photosynthesis, water status attributes and ion content of Alaska variety were associated with an elevated StSOS1 expression level. The effective osmotic adjustment with proline for Spunta and Alaska varieties was associated with differential expression of proline synthesis (StP5CS1) and catabolism (StP5CDH) genes. Accordingly, Alaska seems to be more resistant to salinity than Spunta and Bellini, and electromagnetic water may be useful to enhance potato production in areas suffering from water salinization.

Transcriptional and Metabolic Profiling of Potato Plants Expressing a Plastid-Targeted Electron Shuttle Reveal Modulation of Genes Associated to Drought Tolerance by Chloroplast Redox Poise.

Water limitation represents the main environmental constraint affecting crop yield worldwide. Photosynthesis is a primary drought target, resulting in over-reduction of the photosynthetic electron transport chain and increased production of reactive oxygen species in plastids. Manipulation of chloroplast electron distribution by introducing alternative electron transport sinks has been shown to increase plant tolerance to multiple environmental challenges including hydric stress, suggesting that a similar strategy could be used to improve drought tolerance in crops. We show herein that the expression of the cyanobacterial electron shuttle flavodoxin in potato chloroplasts protected photosynthetic activities even at a pre-symptomatic stage of drought. Transcriptional and metabolic profiling revealed an attenuated response to the adverse condition in flavodoxin-expressing plants, correlating with their increased stress tolerance. Interestingly, 5–6% of leaf-expressed genes were affected by flavodoxin in the absence of drought, representing pathways modulated by chloroplast redox status during normal growth. About 300 of these genes potentially contribute to stress acclimation as their modulation by flavodoxin proceeds in the same direction as their drought response in wild-type plants. Tuber yield losses under chronic water limitation were mitigated in flavodoxin-expressing plants, indicating that the flavoprotein has the potential to improve major agronomic traits in potato.

The collection of potato varieties as a reserve of source material for breeding for high yield, earliness, and resistance to diseases and pests

Background. Information is provided about the results obtained by screening the VIR collection of improved potato varieties for main commercial traits: earliness, high yield, high starch content, and resistance to late blight (Phytophthora infestans (Mont.) de Bary), viruses, and pests, such as cyst nematode (Globodera rostochiensis Woll. (Ro1)), and Colorado beetle (Leptinotarsa decemlineata Say).Materials and methods. Potato accessions representing domestic and foreign varieties from the VIR collection served as the material for this research. The screening was performed according to the techniques developed at the Potato Genetic Resources Department of VIR.Results and conclusion. Potato varieties with valuable commercial traits were identified as breeding sources promising for earliness: ‘Bashkirskiy’ (k-25338), ‘Charoit’ (k-25221), ‘Colleen’ (k-25224), ‘Lagun’ (k-25294), etc.; for high yield: ‘Ametist’ (k-25336), ‘Banba’ (k-25222), ‘Bastion’ (k-25198), ‘Nur-Alem’ (k-25253), ‘Senim’ (k-25306), etc.; for high starch content: ‘Charaўnik’ (k-25139), ‘Darnitsa’ (k-25179), ‘Lad’ (k-25180), ‘Maksimum’ (k-25136), etc.; for resistance to late blight: local variety (Georgia) (k-25298, k-25326), ‘Sunkar’ (k-25258), ‘Udovitskiy’ (k-25260), ‘Vektor’ (k-25200), ‘Zvezdochka’ (k-25209); for resistance to viruses: ‘Azart’ (k-25196), Gala (k-25270), ‘Nadezhda’ (k-25213), Utro (k-25219), ‘Volat’ (k-25263), etc. Varieties combining resistance to gold potato cyst nematode with other valuable commercial traits were selected. Varieties with relative resistance to Colorado potato beetle were isolated under favorable conditions for the pest’s development. As a result of the research, new source material was identified, with a potential to improve major commercial traits of potato: earliness, high yield, high starch content, resistance to late blight, viruses, and pests (cyst nematode and Colorado beetle).

Correlation analysis for various growth and yield attributing traits in potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) genotypes

In the present study twelve potato genotypes collected from various agro-climatic regions of India were evaluated in three diverse environments viz., SKUAST-K, Shalimar, Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Budgam and MRCFC Khudwani during Kharif 2018. The experiments were laid out in complete randomized block design with three replications at each location. From the present study it was observed that economically important trait i.e., total tuber yield hectare-1 (q) showed positive and significant association with plant height (cm), plant spread (cm), number of stems hill-1, leaf area (cm2). Stem diameter (cm) and number of tubers plant-1, but positive and non-significant association with days to initiation of germination, indicating that improvement in yield could be brought about by selection of these component traits.

Study of genetic variability of tuber yield and storage related traits in potato (Solanum tuberosum L.)

The experiment was conducted in Randomized Block Design (RBD) with three replications at Potato Research Station, Sardarkrushinagar Dantiwada Agricultural University, Deesa during rabi 2017-18. The crop was harvested at 90 days after planting. The analysis of variance revealed that mean sum of squares due to genotypes were found highly significant for all the traits. This is proved that the existence of tremendous variability in the experimental material for different traits. However, from tuber yield point of view, MS/9-2196, J/7-37, K. Ganga and K. Anand were elite genotypes based on per se performance. The genotypes, K. Lauvkar, K. Sindhuri and DSP-7 exhibited low physiological weight loss, while genotypes, K. Surya, MS/12-655 and K. Ganga had low loss due to rottage on weight basis. Thus, these genotypes may be considered as good for storage ability at room temperature storage condition. The high heritability along with high genetic advance in plant height, leaf area, fresh weight of tops per plant, number of tuber per plant, tuber yield per plant, average tuber weight, physiological weight loss, loss due to rottage on weight basis, loss due to rottage on number basis and total weight loss, suggested that genotypic variation for the characters is probably attributed to high additive genetic effect and selection would be rewarding based on phenotypic performance.

Combining Ability Analysis of Dry Matter Content, Reducing Sugars and Yield of Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) Genotypes in Uganda

Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) in Uganda is a major food and cash crop mainly grown in the highland regions by small-scale farmers. The increasing importance of potato as a processed product requires new varieties possessing quality processing attributes with acceptable yield. The objectives of this study were to estimate the combining ability effects for dry matter content, reducing sugars, and yield related traits in potato. Nineteen F1 families generated from eight parents using a half diallel mating design were evaluated for dry matter content, reducing sugars, average weight per tuber and total tuber yield at Kachwekano research station. Additive genetic effects were predominant for dry matter content while non-additive effects for the other traits. The GCA/SCA ratios were 0.58, 0.28, 0.17 and 0.44 for dry matter content, reducing sugars, average weight per tuber and total tuber yield respectively. Broad sense heritability estimates were 50.6% for dry matter content, 77.8% for reducing sugars, 90.3% for average weight per tuber and 29.5% for total tuber yield. Parents NAROPOT 3 and 395096.2 had desirable GCA effects for both dry matter content and reducing sugars. Families of nkrk19.17 x Rutuku had desirable SCA effects for dry matter content while Rutuku x 393077.54 and nkrk19.17 x 392657.8 had desirable SCA effects for reducing sugars. Additive genetic effects for dry matter content imply that, genetic gains can be achieved through different selection methods and trait transferred to the respective progenies. The selected parents and families will be subjected to further clonal evaluation and selection.

Linking crop traits to transcriptome differences in a progeny population of tetraploid potato

BackgroundPotato is the third most consumed crop in the world. Breeding for traits such as yield, product quality and pathogen resistance are main priorities. Identifying molecular signatures of these and other important traits is important in future breeding efforts. In this study, a progeny population from a cross between a breeding line, SW93–1015, and a cultivar, Désirée, was studied by trait analysis and RNA-seq in order to develop understanding of segregating traits at the molecular level and identify transcripts with expressional correlation to these traits. Transcript markers with predictive value for field performance applicable under controlled environments would be of great value for plant breeding.ResultsA total of 34 progeny lines from SW93–1015 and Désirée were phenotyped for 17 different traits in a field in Nordic climate conditions and controlled climate settings. A master transcriptome was constructed with all 34 progeny lines and the parents through a de novo assembly of RNA-seq reads. Gene expression data obtained in a controlled environment from the 34 lines was correlated to traits by different similarity indices, including Pearson and Spearman, as well as DUO, which calculates the co-occurrence between high and low values for gene expression and trait. Our study linked transcripts to traits such as yield, growth rate, high laying tubers, late and tuber blight, tuber greening and early flowering. We found several transcripts associated to late blight resistance and transcripts encoding receptors were associated to Dickeya solani susceptibility. Transcript levels of a UBX-domain protein was negatively associated to yield and a GLABRA2 expression modulator was negatively associated to growth rate.ConclusionIn our study, we identify 100’s of transcripts, putatively linked based on expression with 17 traits of potato, representing both well-known and novel associations. This approach can be used to link the transcriptome to traits. We explore the possibility of associating the level of transcript expression from controlled, optimal environments to traits in a progeny population with different methods introducing the application of DUO for the first time on transcriptome data. We verify the expression pattern for five of the putative transcript markers in another progeny population.

Combining ability analysis of tuber yield and related traits in potatoes

In potatoes (Solanum tuberosum L. 2n=4x=48) both the general combining ability (GCA) effects of parents and specific combining ability (SCA) of crosses are important in conditioning traits of economic importance. The objective of this study was to determine the combining abilities for tuber yield and its components on seven high-yielding commercial cultivars of potato and advanced potato clones. Significant differences were found between the parents in the all of traits that are associated with high genetic diversity between parents. GCA for tuber form, length of stolon and number of tuber per plant were high and for stem height, tuber skin appearance and eye dept were low. Heritability estimated from 49 percent in the number of stem to 84 percent in tuber skin appearance. Both heritability and genetic advance as percent of mean estimates were high for tuber yield, tuber form, length of stolon, tuber size, and number of tuber per plant and tuber size uniformity. AS10, AS12, AS14 and UT43 clones was best general combiner for the tuber yield, tuber size uniformity, eye depth, tuber dry matter and length of stolon. The SCA effects were the highest in the cross Savalan?UT43, Luca?AS20, Stbr2?Savalan and Picasso?HS in the traits were considered. Savalan and UT43 parents used in the crosses also have high GCA in studied traits. Finally results showed that Savalan, UT43, AS10, AS12 and AS14 in the studied traits was the high GCA and better than other parents.

Genetic Diversity of Potato Cultivars for Nitrogen Use Efficiency Under Contrasting Nitrogen Regimes

Developing cultivars that use nitrogen more efficiently is a sustainable strategy for reducing nitrogen use in crop production. To assess the genetic diversity for nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) and related traits in potato, a total of 97 (88 for the Western-European market and 9 Ethiopian) cultivars were evaluated at two nitrogen levels (40 kg/ha and 120 kg/ha) for 24 quantitative traits in Debre-Tabor and Injibara (Ethiopia) in the 2013 main rainy season (June to September). Highly significant variation was found among genotypes for almost all measured traits. Plant height, NUE, tuber yield, and yield-related traits and model parameters for canopy development (maximum canopy covers area under the canopy curve) were significantly affected by N levels across locations. Dutch cultivars had more rapid initial canopy development and matured earlier than the Ethiopian cultivars at both N levels and locations. A hierarchical cluster analysis grouped the cultivars in 9 and 11 genetically distinct classes at low and high N, respectively. The genetic component accounted for a large portion of the phenotypic variation for plant height, tuber number per plant, average tuber weight, and NUE under both N regimes, as indicated by a high heritability. Strong phenotypic correlations were observed between NUE and tuber number per plant, days to maturity, tuber dry matter %, maximum canopy cover, and area under the canopy curve under both low and high N conditions. The result is indicative to set the best parental line selection criteria for crossing purpose and utilize the cultivars for further potato NUE breeding programmes.

Correlation and Path Analysis for Yield and Yield-Related Traits of Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) in Karnataka

Correlation and path analyses study on total tuber yield and yield attributing traits of nine CIP advance potato genotypes revealed that total tuber yield per plot had highly significant and positive association with marketable yield per plot, number of tubers per plant, dry matter and number of stems at 60 DAP both at genotypic and phenotypic level indicating the possibility of simultaneous selection for these traits to improve the tuber yield. It revealed that numbers of tubers per plant, marketable yield per plot, number of stems at 60 DAP and tuber weight were the most influencing factors to improve the tuber yield. Thus, these characters deserve greater weightage during selection for yield performance attribute.

Effects of different irrigation methods and hormone application on water use efficiency, yield, and leaf biochemical traits in potato

Investigation of different irrigation methods on plants is necessary due to limited water resources and the increasing need for food products. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of sprinkler and drip irrigation systems and hormones on morphological and physiological characteristics of potato. Treatments included sprinkler and drip irrigation systems and hormones (gibberellic acid, acetylsalicylic acid, epi-brassinolide, and no use of growth regulators) as split plot based on randomized complete block design with three replications during 2015 and 2016 growing seasons at a research farm located in Malayer. Results showed that the highest level of tuber dry matter (TDM) was related to epi-brassinolide hormone + drip irrigation after using 80% of the field capacity(FC) in 2015 and epi-brassinolide hormone + drip irrigation after using 70% of the FC in 2016. The lowest amount of water use efficiency (WUE) was seen in sprinkler irrigation + no use of regulators in both years. The highest value of WUE was seen in epi-brassinolide hormone along with drip irrigation after using 80% the FC and drip irrigation after using 70% of the FC in 2015 and also in epi-brassinolide hormone + drip irrigation after using 70% of the FC in 2016. There were high and significant correlations between water use efficiency and relative water content with morphological characteristics. In order to increase the production and potato water use efficiency in cold dry climate, drip irrigation along with epi-brassinolide hormone is recommended.

Effect of Seed Tuber Planting Depth and Nitrogen Rate on Yield and Yield Related Traits of Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) at Haramaya and Hirna, Eastern Ethiopia

The potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) is an important cash and food security crop in the eastern highlands of Ethiopia. However, the yield of the crop is constrained by low soil fertility and poor agro...

Synergy or trade-off? A framework and application to benchmark yield, quality and revenue of potato production

The concept of yield gap is well-known to benchmark yields of crops. However, quality is another major aspect that influences farm revenues and drives management. Increasing yield may not be economically viable if this is at the expense of degrading quality such that revenue is negatively influenced. This study aimed to answer the question whether yield and quality could be maximized at the same time. A framework was developed to assess crop performance based on yield, quality, and revenue. The framework includes seven steps from identifying the important quality traits to quantifying quality gaps and yield gaps and their influence on revenue. The framework enriches the yield gap notion by adding quality aspects. The concept of optimum quality (Qp) was introduced as the quality value (range) of a particular quality trait that is most desired for a specific market. The framework was applied to a case study concerning potato production for a French Fries factory in China. Three quality traits of potato were assessed (i.e., dry matter percentage, tuber size classes, and number of tubers in 10 kg). No trade-off between yield and quality was found for the tested quality traits. The results indicated that there was large scope to improve quality for some of the quality traits. The relative revenue gap (Eg-f) was large (43%), and was attributed to both the relative yield gap (Yg-f, 26%), and quality aspects (i.e., low dry matter percentage and high small tuber weight percentage). Enhancing yield towards its current maximum level (55 ton fresh matter ha−1) was associated with improvement in quality and revenue.

Water restriction scenarios and their effects on traits in potato with different degrees of drought tolerance

The search for plant traits associated with drought tolerance for genetic improvement is an important issue in breeding acceleration programs. However, plant traits expression depends on the drought scenario, thus the investigation of this dependence is crucial for drought tolerant related traits selection in important crops like potato. In this study, six potato genotypes with contrasted drought sensitivity were submitted to a long- (LTWR) from flower budding formation until harvest and short-term (STWR, 4 cycles) water restriction and compared to irrigated condition (control). Indicators related to chlorophyll concentration increase (ChlSPAD_Amp), senescence delay (as slope of chlorophyll concentration declined, SlopeChl), oxidative defense and damage through superoxide dismutase, peroxidase (POD) and malonaldehyde (MDA) synthesis in comparison with control (△) were calculated and contrasted with a drought tolerance index (DTI). ChlSPAD_Amp, △MDA and SlopeChl explained 22–55%, 74–72% and 0–81% of DTI linear variation under STWR-LTWR respectively. Significant correlations were found only under LTWR, where oxidative damage and defense (specially △POD) were associated with ChlSPAD_Amp and SlopeChl. This study cautions the drought scenario-dependency of some traits related to senescence delay and oxidative defense-damage, whereas the stability of leaf greenness (taking care of high drought sensitive genotypes) invites further efforts using remote sensing technologies for their test in large panel breeding programs.