Performances of true potato seed families derived from intermating tetraploid parental lines

Four different sets of true potato seed (TPS) families, representing a total of 262 hybrids derived from intermating tetraploid clones were evaluated in three different locations in Peru. Significant differences were observed among families in tuber yield, uniformity and transplant survival rate in the field. Several families produced an average tuber yield of more than 1.0 kg per plant, with a tuber uniformity of some families approaching that of standard varieties. Hybrid TPS families gave higher tuber yields and more uniform tubers than families from open-pollination. On the basis of an observed family-environment interaction for tuber yield, it is suggested that locally adapted cultivars or advanced selections should be used as parents to generate TPS progenies for specific areas.