Adaptive response of potato varieties in the agroecological conditions of the Republic of Karelia

Abstract

The study was conducted to comprehensively evaluate the environmental adaptability and stability of potato varieties in the southern agroclimatic region of the Republic of Karelia to isolate the best genotypes. The work was carried out in 2022-2024. Meteorological conditions were uneven, with the environmental index varying by year: 1.98; – 5.95; 3.97. Eleven potato varieties served as the study material: early-ripening varieties – Latona (control), Impala, Udacha, Fresco, Kholmogorsky, Red Scarlett; mid-early varieties – Elizaveta (control), Ryabinushka, Radonezhsky; and mid-ripening varieties – Lugovskoy (control), Aurora. The experiment was carried out in a field crop rotation (forecrop – annual grasses). Plasticity (bi), stability (Si2), stress resistance (S = Ymin-Ymax), genetic flexibility (G), and adaptability coefficient (Ca) were calculated. Based on the ranking results for a set of the listed indicators and biplot analysis, the following varieties were identified as the most adapted to local conditions (47-60 points). The Lugovskoy variety is recommended for extensive systems. It formed a stable yield of 24.3 t/ha with minimal response to background (bi=0.03) and the highest stress resistance (S = – 1.8 t/ha, d = 7.1%, Ka = 1.05). The Latona variety accumulated the highest yield (29.8 t/ha) with high plasticity (bi = 0.9) and adaptability (Ka = 1.24), but low stability (S Si2 = 100.1), which determines the feasibility of its use in intensive technologies in favourable years. The Udacha and Impala varieties, characterised by high plasticity (bi = 1.3-1.5) and yields of 24.7-25.4 t/ha, are recommended for intensive technologies. The Ryabinushka and Radonezhsky varieties (24.9-25.6 t/ha) with balanced parameters (bi = 0.6-1.2, Ca>1.04, S Si2 <10) and a high complex rating are classified as general-purpose genotypes.