Physiological and yield response to fertilization of short-cycle Solanum tuberosum cultivars in three high-Andean environments

Abstract

The variability of potato cultivars and environments in the production area of Nariño-Colombia, demands the adjustment of agronomic recommendations for the improvement of crop management. Physiological behavior and yield of four short-cycle potato cultivars were evaluated: Solanum tuberosum Phureja groups (Mambera, Ratona Morada and Criolla Colombia) and Andigena (Morasurco), under three environments, characterized edaphoclimatically (AH1, AH2, and AH4) and three fertilization levels. The yield components did not present differences between these levels, except for AH2, where level 3 surpassed the others in yield, and AH3 for harvest index with differences between levels. Regarding the cultivars, there were statistical differences in all environments; the highest yield was obtained by Ratona Morada and Mambera in AH4, Criolla Colombia in AH1, and a homogeneous behavior for Morasurco in all environments. In AH1 and AH2 the physiological indexes were similar in proportion and occurrence, while in AH4 the behavior was variable, with higher values in Morasurco and Mambera. ANOVA and discriminant analysis of principal components (DAPC) differentiated Morasurco from Phureja cultivars and Criolla Colombia from Ratona and Mambera. The grouping of environments in the DAPC ratifies the classification of the environments. The nutritional requirements of the genotypes can be limited by elements different from those evaluated; the productivity was mainly influenced by the environments; Mambera and Ratona Morada are established as alternatives in the AH4 environment, and Criolla Colombia and Morasurco in the other environments.