Potato Improvement Through Hybridization and In Vitro Technique

The higher ratio of SCA/GCA variance in a line × tester mating design of ten potato genotypes indicated the predominance of non-additive gene effects in the inheritance of all traits. Estimation of GCA effects of the parent revealed that among the male parents TPS-67 was found to be the most desirable parent, and among the female parents Lal Pakri, Patnai, Shill Bilati and Ausha were found to be good general combiner for tuber yield and its component characters. High GCV as well as PCV percentage was observed for plant height, tuber numbers/plant, tuber weight/plant, average tuber weight/plant and tuber weight loss due to respiration. Path coefficient analysis using genotypic correlation revealed that plant height, number of stems/plant, average tuber weight/plant and tuber weight loss due to respiration had direct positive influence towards tuber yield. Cluster analysis revealed that the parents and their hybrid progenies could be grouped into 5 different clusters. Thermal shock of in vitro grown meristem derived plantlets at 35°C was found to be the best technique for virus elimination among the tested potato varieties.