Growth-associated factors and pre-basic seed production of ten native potato varieties using aeroponic conditions in Kishuara -Peru

Abstract

This experiment was carried out in the greenhouse of the sub-region agrarian direction at Kishuara district in the province of Andahuaylas of the Apurimac region of Peru under the aeroponic production system. Growth-associated factors and pre-basic seed production were evaluated in ten varieties of native potatoes using aeroponic conditions in Kishuara - Peru. A complete randomized blocks design was used, and the experimental unit consisted of 12 plants spaced at 20 cm x 18 cm. The variables under study were: height of the plant (average of 12 sampling plants), days to the tuber formation, survival rate (%), days to senescence of the plant, diameter of the stem at senescence, days to the first harvest, yield, number of tubers per plant, and the average weight of tubers. Huayro variety reached the highest growth in plant height (133 cm), the highest yield (981 g / plant), and the highest average weight of mini tubers/plant (12.5 g / plant). The Q'ompis variety was the most precocious (39 days to tuber formation). The days to the first harvest were 96 days for the varieties: Duraznillo, Yana Suytu, Q'ompis and Camotillo, and 125 in Q’eq’orani. Huayro seems to be the best variety to be used for generation of new cultivars and exploitation as native variety for potato seed tuber under aeroponic production system. Our study open the possibility for production of best quality pre-basic seed for native potato production in Peru.