Phenotypic variability based on quantitative traits within potato genotypes in the Democratic Republic of Congo

Abstract

Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) plays a crucial role in ensuring food security, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Primarily grown for both human and animal consumption, potato is also an important industrial product, particularly for starch production. Planning a potato improvement programme requires scientific knowledge of the variability of genotypes grown as the basis for proper breeding strategies. The objective of this study was to assess the phenotypic variability within potato genotypes in the Territory of Lubero in DRC. The study was conducted in two sites (Luotu and Kipese) and involved 18 genotypes collected from Lubero Territory. Sites had significant effects on all parameters evaluated (P<0.001); except on the number of unmarketable tubers. The effect of genotype and the interaction between genotype and site were also significant for all parameters (P<0.001). Principal component analysis, considering the three dimensions, explained 80.354% of the total variability within the genotypes. The number of marketable tubers, days to 50% physiological maturity and number of stems per plant, correlated with Dimension 1, which explain 34.351% of the total variability. They significantly contributed to total variability. Three genotype clusters were formed; the first cluster was characterised by genotypes with long flowering duration, the greatest plant height and longest period to 50% maturity. The second group was characterised by high marketable tubers yield; while the third was by a high number of marketable tubers. This variability is useful in breeding programmes for the improvement of yield of marketable potato tubers in Lubero Territory in DRC.