Evolution of the yielding and combining abilities in andigena potatoes after six cycles of recurrent phenotypic selection

Abstract

Sígnificant improvements were observed in the performance of 6 Adg sub-populations deríved from a phenotypic recurrent selection process for adaptation to long day conditions. Gradual improvements were expressed for several attributes. A strong response to selection was observed for percent tuberization, total yield per plot, mean yield per plant, average tuber weight, percent of non-pigmented tubers and general external appearanee. A somewhat weaker response was observed for total tuber number per plot and mean tuber number per hill. The largest gaíns were detected during the last stage of selection. At the population level, the earliest improvement in yield was the result of improving percent tuberization. Later gains carne from improving yield per plant as well as steady improvement in percent tuberization. Selected Adg (Neotuberosum) resembled more the typical Adg rather than Tub with regards to several aspeets includíng plant type, lateness, tuber number and external appearance.