Genotype by environment interaction effects on fibre components in potato (Solanum tuberosum L.)

Abstract

Abstract Increasing awareness of heart health and disease prevention has led consumers to more proactive grocery food choices. Fibre and its associated health benefits remains an important area of research given the current interest in food, nutrition, and health. To position the potato as a good source of fibre, breeding efforts have focused on developing cultivars and germplasm with high fibre content. The current study examined eight elite potato clones and four commercial cultivars (checks) across six environments (three locations over two years) for their total dietary fibre (TDF), neutral detergent fibre (NDF), and soluble fibre (SF) content. Genotype by environment interaction (GEI) and stability analysis were conducted with SAS and GGE Biplot software. Significant genotypic (G), environmental (E) and GEI effects were found. The six environments differed in temperature and moisture levels, which were linked to levels of NDF and TDF. Some genotypes had high levels of stability for fibre content. GGE biplot analysis found no significant mega-environments for fibre components. Two elite clones (CV96044-3 and F05081) were identified as high fibre sources (13.3 and 14.4 %, respectively) compared to the other elite clones and commercial cultivars (e.g., Russet Burbank: 11.7 %). These lines may also be suitable as parents with high fibre and stability to breed into backgrounds with other desirable qualities.