Agronomic performance and tuber characteristics and quality of newly-released local potato clone Belle Isle
Code (CO)MSI05P4160
Author (AU)Govinden, N.
Wong Yen Cheong, K.
Kanhye, H.
Title - English (ET)Agronomic performance and tuber characteristics and quality of newly-released local potato clone Belle Isle
Thesis-Parent title (TH)Lalouette, J. A., Bheenick, K. J. and Nundalallee, C. (eds), Proceedings, Seventh Meeting of Agricultural Scientists, 4-6 May 2005, Boname Hall, MSIRI, Mauritius. (Draft)
Document Type(DT)book chapter
Date of publication (DP)2005
Source (SO)p. 129-134
Publisher (PB)Réduit: Food and Agricultural Research Council
Notes (NO)In: Book of Abstracts. Seventh Meeting of Agricultural Scientists, 4-6 May 2005, Boname Hall, MSIRI, Réduit, Mauritius. p 28 (Proceedings available at http://www.gov.mu/portal/sites/ncb/moa/farc/amas2005/pdf/MAS20051stDraft.pdf)
Language of text (LT)En
Language of summaries (LS)En
Abstract (AB)The Mauritius Sugar Industry Research Institute has been selecting potato varieties since the late 1960s. As from the mid 1980s few good varieties have been found. This prompted the initiation in 1989 of a potato breeding programme. Emphasis was initially on high yields, adaptation to local production conditions and tolerance to important diseases. The first four clones were released in 1998 but, to date, only two have been grown on a limited scale, mainly because of poor acceptance. Emphasis was therefore shifted to tuber morphological characteristics such as size and shape which are the main determinants of acceptance, to adaptation to the second season when retailers are less choosy, and to tuber quality. The first local clone to possess the additional attributes was released recently under the name Belle Isle. It originates from a cross made in 1990 and has been tested under the code number 90005. It is only as from last year that several growers have shown interest in the variety, thus prompting its release. Belle Isle has five attributes of interest. Firstly, it is a good yielder. In 65 replicated yield trials predominantly on growers' fields in Mauritiu, its total tuber yield has been 17 per cent more than that of Spunta in the first season and 47 per cent more than that of the same control in the second season. In 14 replicated yield trials in Rodrigues, its total tuber yield was 48 per cent higher than that of Spunta. Secondly, its yield is more stable than that of other clones in Mauritius as well as in Rodrigues. Thirdly, it is resistant to late blight whose incidence on variety Spunta has increased dramatically in several localities in 2004. Fourthly, the seeds are smaller and cheaper. And finally, the tubers have a relatively higher dry matter content which, combined with good colour after frying, makes it suitable for crisp production. However, the tubers of Belle Isle are smaller than those of Spunta. Growers are therefore advised to pay attention to its marketing.
Descriptors - English (DE)potatoes
varieties
quality
tubers
Variety Belle Isle
Descriptors - Geographic (DG)Mauritius
Sort Key 1(K1)Potatoes
Sort Key 2 (K2)Breeding: Varieties
Date record entered (DA)2005-05-03
Language of analysis (LA)En
Processing status (PS)LIST
MSIRI Staff (MS)FC