Assessment of adaptive properties in Russian potato cultivars (Solanum tuberosum L.)

Abstract

Background. Potato ( Solanum tuberosum  L.) is one of the main crops cultivated in Russia. Studying and selecting the most adaptable potato cultivars according to their commercial yield indicator under the effect of growing conditions remains a pressing task. Materials and methods. Potato cultivars with various ripening schedules (58 accessions) served as the material for this study, which was conducted as field trials in Moscow Province in 2022–2024. The cultivars were grouped into clusters according to adaptability parameters using the K-means method. Results. The effect of moisture conditions in the second half of the growing season was shown on the formation of commercial yield (year factor of 57.8%) and on the manifestation of adaptive properties in potato cultivars (cultivar × year interaction factor of 25.7%). Data analysis of the commercial yield dynamics over the years of research made it possible to assess such adaptive properties of potato cultivars as stress resistance, genetic flexibility, environmental response coefficient, index of environmental plasticity, coefficient of variation, environmental plasticity according to the linear regression coefficient (bi), homeostasis, breeding value, and cultivar stability level. Conclusion. Using cluster analysis, 16 potato cultivars were identified among the 58 studied ones for their high adaptability potential and high commercial yield: ‘Aleksandrit’, ‘Argo’, ‘Blossom’, ‘Kaluzhskiy’, ‘Sprinter’, ‘Kholmogorskiy’, ‘Udacha’, and ‘Red Scarlett’ (all early); ‘Zyryanets’, ‘Tayfun’, and ‘Shakh’ (all mid-early); ‘Armada’, ‘Mirazh’, ‘Orlan’, ‘Rozovy Charodey’, and ‘Flagman’ (all mid-season). These cultivars were found promising both for commercial production and for further breeding efforts.