Evaluation on the tolerance of potato promising clones to water deficit in Ardabil region

Supplying sufficint water for producing of potato tubers with desirable quality and quantity are important factors. Evaluation of tolerance to water deficit of promising clones in low water regions such as Ardabil is essential. In this research, potato cultivars including Savalan, Agria and Caeser and potato promising clones 397009-3, 397008-10, 397009-7 were examined in three irrigation regime in a split plot design with three replications in Ardabil Agriculture and Natural Resources Research Station during 2008 and 2009. Three irrigation treatments were applied in main plot (irrigation rate of 50, 75 and 100 percent of water required) and promising clones and cultivars were situated in sub-plot. Analysis of variance showed that among years, irrigation levels and cultivars and advanced clones in traits of total and marketable tuber yield and tuber number and weight per plant, between years and cultivars interaction in traits of total and marketable tuber yield, between irrigation levels and cultivars interaction in traits of total and marketable tuber yield and tuber number and weight per plant and plant height was significant difference. Normal conditions (100 percent required water) increased than the mild stress (75 percent required water) and severe stress (50 percent required water), tuber yield 10.17 and 18.13 and marketable tuber yield 7.16 and 13.73 ton per hectare. Savalan cultivar and 397009-3 clone had high total and marketable tuber yield and tuber number and weight per plant. Relationship of total tuber yield with marketable tuber yield, total and marketable tuber number and weight was positive and significant. Mild and severe stress conditions, in terms of indicators TOl, MP, GMP, SSI, STI and MSTI 3-397009 clone and Savalan cultivar as tolerant of water deficit and Agria cultivar susceptible to water deficit were selected. Cultivars and clones in terms of all traits were three clusters. The first cluster were included 397008-10 and 397009-7 clones and Caeser cultivar, the second cluster included Savalan cultivar and 397009-3 clone and the third cluster included Agria cultivar.