Evaluation of Genetic Diversity of Potato Genotypes for Some Traits Irradiated with Gamma Ray in Caesar Cultivar

This research was performed to evaluate genetic diversity for some quantitative traits and tuber flesh color of potato genotypes irradiated with gamma ray of Caesar cultivar, at the Agricultural Nuclear Research Institute of Karaj, Ardabil Behparvar Sabalan Company and Ardabil Agricultural and Natural Resources Research Station during 2012 and 2013. The plantlets were irradiated with gamma rays at dose of 25 Gy. The plantlets were sub-cultured three cycles in MS culture and then were transferred to the greenhouse. The 3000 plantlets were planted in plastic pots 10×10 cm with Mikskaar peat-moss and punce (1:1 v/v) in the greenhouse. From 3000 plantlets irradiated belonging to 175 genotypes, 1424 mini-tubers waghed 4821.7 g, were selected with selection intensity of 5.8%. Mean minituber numbers and their weights per plant of genotypes were 8.14 and 27.55 grams and in that of control were 4 and 17.4 grams respectively. The selected genotypes along with control (Caesar and Agria cultivars) were planted in an augmented design in 2013. The ANONA results showed that there were significant differences among genotypes for all traits under study. The tuber yield in parental genotypes was 27.42 ton.ha-1 and in genotypes 3-60 ton.ha-1, number of tubers and their weight per plant in parental genotypes were6 and 555 g. and in genotypes 2-28 and 60-1200 g. respectivly. The tuber yield, tuber number and weight per plant, tuber average weight and main stem number per plant had high diversity. In factor analysis, three independent factors explained 83.07% of the total variation. These factors were: 1- yield and its components (tuber yield, tuber number and weight per plant) as the first factor, 2- the tuber uniformity (average tuber weight) as the second factor, and 3- plant structure (p) and height and number of main stems per plant)as the third factor. The selected genotypes (46 genotypes) possessed higher tuber yields, tuber numbers and weight per plant, tuber uniform, shallow eye depth, skin and flesh color of yellow to dark yellow.