EVALUATION OF MICRONUTRIENT-DENSE POTATO CLONES FOR PLANT AND YIELD CHARACTES AT HIGH HILL OF NEPAL

Abstract

Fifteen micronutrient-dense potato clones received from International Potato Center (CIP), Peru were multiplied at National Potato Research Programme (NPRP) of Nepal in 2012. All clones were evaluated with locally adapted variety as check at Nigaley (2550 masl) and Kharidhunga (2650 masl), representing high hill regions of Sindhupalchowk and Dolakha Districts, respectively during 2013-2014. The clones were tested at Nigaley Farm as on-station trial whereas on-farm trials were conducted in various farmers’ field of Dolakha and Sindhupalchowk. The plant morphological, late blight disease, and yield characters of potato clones were evaluated at on-station and on-farm trials in both years. CIP 393073.179, CIP 395017.229 and CIP 395112.32 were found tolerant to late blight disease in both years. Total tuber number plant^-1, and marketable yield (tha^-1) were significant (P≤0.05) among the clones. CIP 395112.32 produced the highest marketable tuber yield (18.5 tha^-1) followed by CIP 393073.179 (16.5 tha^-1) in on-station and on-farm trials in both years. Clone CIP 395112.32 possessed late blight tolerance and better yield, and acceptable rank of tuber appearance, taste and texture as compared to other tested clones and checks,. CIP 395112.32 is recommended to farmers for scaling up in potato cultivation. The adoption of this clone as variety will increase the potato production and improve the food, and nutritional security in project targeted areas.