Evaluation and selection of potato varieties in the highlands of Northern Philippines

Germplasm with wide range of genotypic characteristics are continuously maintained at the Northern Philippine Root Crop Research and Training Center (NPRCRTC) of the Benguet State University, La Trinidad, Benguet, Philippines. In response to the need of potato-based snack food manufacturers, Gonzales et al. (NPRCRTC) conducted a multi-disciplinary work to come up with table and processing-type potato varieties ideal for chips and fries, suited to local conditions, has high yield, and resistant to pests such as late blight and leaf miner. Five potato entries grown and selected from preliminary yield trial were evaluated from 2006 to 2009 under different ecological zones/elevation from low mountain zone (1350 m asl), mid-mountain zone (below 200 m asl), and high mountain zone (2000 m asl and above) for wet and dry seasons. Entries 380241.17, 2.21.6.2, 676070, and 5.19.2.2 were best performers in terms of yield, survival, vigor, canopy over, and with less incidence of leaf miner and late blight. Entry 380241.17 has the highest yield of 19.97 t/ha, followed by 676070 with 17.27 t/ha and 2.21.6.2 with 16.33 t/ha. These entries significantly outyielded the three check varieties of Granola (table-type farmers variety), Igorota (processing-type), and Ganza (newly approved NSIC variety) with yields of 11.86 t/ha, 14.28 t/ha and 13.33 t/ha, respectively. Based on the Genotype and Environment Interaction, entries 380241.17 and 2.21.6.2 were recommended across environment/locations while genotypes 5.19.2.2 and 676070 were for specific environment/location in Benguet province only. On late blight rating, entry 380247.17 and 2.21.6.2 were rated resistant having the least infection rating of 2.Entries 676070 and 5.19.2.2 had a rating of 3 (moderately resistant) and was comparable with the check varieties Igorota and Ganza. Entries 5.19.2.2 and 2.21.6.2 were found suitable for chip processing due to its high recovery and no browning property on the potato chips. For potato fries entry, 2.21.6.2 was the best among the three entries. As to postharvest loss performance, 380241.17, 2.21.6.2, and 5.19.2.2 had the lowest yield loss from harvest to 18 weeks after harvest. As per result of the Rapid Multiplication Technique (RMT), entries 676070 and 380241.17 had the highest number of stem cuttings produced. Entries 5.19.2.2 and 676070 had the most number of seeds. Entries 380241.17, 2.21.6.2, 676070 and 5.19.2.2 were highly recommended for potato production under low, mid and high mountain zones during wet and dry seasons. Identification of potato varieties for table and processing type may contribute to the potato industry as well as help sustain potato production in the highland. Furthermore, selection of the right variety will minimize problems associated with water and fertilizer, resistance to pests and early maturity. Using the right variety would entail less expense and would eventually ensure more profit for farmers.