Three Agronomical Traits of the Local Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) Ecotypes Grown in the Farmer Fields in Highlands of the Eastern Black Sea Region

Abstract

Some of the agronomic properties of the potatoes grown in high altitudes of the province of Artvin located in the Eastern Black Sea region of Turkey were studied. Measurements and observations were conducted between 16 and 20th August 2004 in the villages of the Merkez (Central) district of the Province of Artvin and at 74 points in 19 villages located within the boundaries of the districts Ardanuc and Savsat where potatoes are grown at an altitude over 800 meters. Plant height, number of main stems per plant and tuber yield were measured in local potato ecotypes in the farmer fields. And their frequency distributions were calculated. Plant height varied between 24 and 127cm whereas main stem number varied from 1 to 6 per plant and tuber yield between 195 and 1629 g/plant. It was concluded that the population showed a wide variation with respect to the three traits examined and this variation could be used in improvement programs.