Comparison of 10 clones of the potato cultivar, Kennebec

Abstract

Nine clones of Solanum tuberosum L. cv. Kennebec from sources in Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania, and the commercially grown clone, clone 1, which was imported from Vancouver, were multiplied from pathogen-tested seed and compared in 3 Victorian potato districts during 2 seasons. Haulm appearance of the 10 clones was similar. Tubers of clones 2 and 9 had a more desirable elliptical shape with shallow eyes than clones 1, 7, 8, 11 and 13. Clone 7 produced significantly (P<0.05) less total yield than the highest yielding clone at 3 sites. Compared with the other clones, clones 2 and 7 yielded significantly (P<0.05) less oversize (>450 g) and medium (100-450 g) tubers and significantly (P<0.05) higher yields of small (<100 g) tubers at several sites. Clone 1 produced a much higher proportion (5.7%) of total yield as oversize tubers than clones 2 (1.6%) and 7 (0.8%). Clones 2 and 7 produced a significantly higher (P<.05) number of tubers per plant than all other clones at the 3 sites. Averaged over these 3 sites, clones 2 (and 7) produced 6.2 (6.8) tubers per plant and the other clones were in the range 4.5-5.0. No consistent differences in specific gravity or crisp colour were observed between the clones. Clone 2 was selected as being best suited for the crisp processing industry because of its even shape, high number of tubers per plant and low yield of oversize tubers, while maintaining high yields and good specific gravity and crisp colour. Our results show that differences exist in total and size grade yield and tuber number and appearance between clones of a cultivar. They further highlight the importance of selection work to maintain desirable characteristics of established cultivars and to remove mutants with undesirable characteristics.