Genetic improvement for yield and tuber size in Andigena potatoes (Solanum tuberosum subsp andigena) after one cycle of recurrent selection

Abstract

Improvement of Andigena genotypes for tuber characters was attempted by making Andigena × Andigena crosses. Andigena accessions could be considerably improved for characters like yield and tuber size by crossing among themselves. Progenies of different cross types like full-sibs, half-sibs, back crosses and cross between unrelated parents among the improved Andigena clones of first cycle of selection were evaluated for tuber characters related to yield to know the best approach for further improvement of Andigena clones for these characters. Half-sibs and crosses between unrelated parents progenies were significantly better than full-sibs and back crosses progenies for the characters yield and average tuber weight, suggesting thereby that for further improvement of Andigena it is important to maintain heterozygosity. The results of the present study show that recurrent selection technique can be useful for improvement of Andigena genotypes.