Multi-trait evaluation of value for cultivation and use of early maturing edible potato cultivars registered in Poland

The work presents an analysis of diversity and comparison of value for cultivation and use of early maturing potato cultivars registered with the Polish National Register of Cultivars. The comparison was based on 17 yield and appearance traits and quality attributes of tubers as well as their resistance to diseases. The analysis employed the following multi-dimensional statistical methods: principal component analysis and cluster analysis. The principal component analysis revealed that over 70% of the total variation was associated with the first 6 principal components. Cluster analysis yielded 4 groups of genotypes. The first group consisted of the cultivars which produced tubers with the most shallow eyes, the best flavour and the least severe darkening of raw flesh. The cultivars in the second group produced high yields and were low in starch, dry matter and glycoalkaloids. The tubers of cultivars which were classified into the third group had the highest starch, dry matter and vitamin C contents. However, they produced the lowest yields and were quite susceptible to most diseases. The fourth group was made up of high-yielding cultivars which tended to accumulate glycoalkaloids but were most resistant to hollow heart in tubers.