Abstract

The current global climate change scenario requires development and evaluation of suitable abiotic and biotic stress tolerant potato genotypes for sustenance of its productivity. Among all stresses, drought is more pertinent for India and major potato growing regions are likely to face this challenge in future. Potato like other crops also possesses variations in drought tolerance capability in its genotypes. Sixteen advanced potato clones of International Potato Centre (CIP) were screened against Kufri Bahar under field conditions for varied water stress regime during 2009–10. From these, promising five genotypes (397036.7, 381381.13, 381381.26, 392797.22 and 393708.31) were further evaluated for confirming their performance during 2010–11. Genotype 397036.7 was found superior based on mean total (25.0–38.3 t/ha) and marketable (23.5–37.2 t/ha) tuber yield and also maintained highest drought tolerant index (1.170–0.775) under severe water deficit regime.