Comparative Study of Introduced Potato Varieties under some Arid Conditions of Sudan

Abstract

A multilocation trail was carried out for three consecutive seasons (2008/09, 2009/10 and 2010/11) to evaluate sixteen promising potato varieties namely; John-76, Safari, Everest, Labadia, Sifra, Triplo, Alaska, Oceania, Banba, Burren, Emma, Orla, Amarin, Lady Olymbia , Lady Rosetta and Diamant in terms of their marketable tuber yield, stability and storability. The Potato varieties were received from Netherlands, France and Scotland by the National Potato Technical Committee, Sudan. Varieties were tested under nine different arid environments (sites x seasons) viz. Khartoum (three environments), Dongola (three environments), Shendi (two environments) and Merowe (one environment). Experiments were arranged in a randomized complete block design and a completely randomized design for storage parameters. Significant differences were detected among the tested varieties for marketable tuber yield ranging from 17.7 (Control variety Diamant) to 26.4 t/ha (Burren). Eight varieties namely; Burren, Alaska, Everest, Safari, Emma, Banba, Lady Olymbia and Amarin, gave higher yields than the overall marketable yield mean (22.2 t/ha) across the nine environments. Banba, Alaska and Everest were the firmest, had no sprout after seven-month storage and exhibited the least weight loss (2.6 to 3.0%). Safari was the most stable across the nine environments