Resistance to late blight and yield stability of SIFT and population B3 potato selections in Uganda

The low average potato (solanum tuberosum L.) yields of only 7 Mt/ha and 13Mt/ha on farmers' fields in Uganda and Africa, respectively compared to 25 Mt/ha at Kalengyere Research station in Uganda have been attributed to, among other factors, late blight (Pyhtophthora infestans Mont de Bary) disease and lack of high yielding cultivars with resistance to the disease. This study aimed at identifying suitable genotypes to address the above two problems. Two experiments involving two different sets of potato genotypes were evaluated in the study; standard International Field Trials (SIFT) and population B3, with vertical and horizontal resistance to late blight disease respectively. The objectives of the study were to 1) assess level of late blight resistance and yields of the two sets and 2) determine the effect of genotype x environment interactions on yield adaptation and stability of potato genotypes in SIFT and other elite population A clones in Uganda.