A promising method for screening drought tolerance in potato using apical cuttings

Ten diverse potato genotypes from apical cuttings were screened for drought tolerance in raised beds of 3:1 v/v volcanic soil:burnt rice hull medium. The object was to test whether this method could replace field evaluation. Growth analyses were done periodically on potatoes from apical cuttings grown in beds. Correlations were made with those from seed tubers concurrently grown in the field. Total and tuber dry matter yield of plants grown from apical cuttings in beds and from seed tubers in the field were significantly correlated (r=.80*). Drought stress sensitivity based on % reduction in tuber and total dry matter at maturity in beds was similar to the results found in the field at maturity. Consistency of the method necessitates the standardization of the age, quality and source of apical cuttings and the growing conditions particularly drought stress imposition.