Characterization of growth and yield parameters and nutritional profiling of new potato clones.

Characterization of unique small potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) clones, called new potatoes, affecting growth, yield, and fruit quality traits could provide source of new alleles for breeding. The study was undertaken to characterize new potato clones for growth, tuber characters, yield, and nutritional profile in comparison with three common tetraploid potato varieties. New potato clones had stolon length of 7.11 cm, bulking habit of avg. 56 days from planting to initiation of tuber, number of tubers of avg. 34.16/plant, tubers weight avg. 7.40 g, and yield of avg. 253 g/plant. The nutritional profile of new potato clones surpassed the common tetraploid potato varieties particularly with respect to contents of dry matter, starch, ascorbic acid, β-carotene, and total phenols. Correlation and path-coefficient analyses confirmed days from planting to initiation of tubers, average number of tubers per plant, average weight of tubers, average weight of tubers per plant, total soluble solids content, starch content, total sugar content, and non-reducing sugar content were the most important selection indices for enhancing tuber yield and quality. These new potato clones are regarded as preferred vegetable item by the consumer for long time because of good taste and stickiness of the tuber for the preparation of specific cooked items. There is substantial nutritional worth for the new potato clones. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]