Nutritional composition of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) genetic resources

Seventy-one germplasm lines comprising of commercial Indian potato cultivars, advanced clones exotic and indigenous cultivars were evaluated for nutritional compounds. We observed significant variability in the lines for anthocyanins (1.81-17.20 mg/100 g FW), caro-tenoids (4.75-27.75 & mu;g/g FW), ascorbic acid (14.50- 85.00 mg/100 g FW) and total phenolics (19.22-73.54 mg GAE/100 g FW). However, for zinc (10.62-27.58 ppm), iron (30.49-56.29 ppm), and tuber dry matter content (14-26%), only small variations were found. The antho-cyanin, carotenoids, and total phenolic contents of in-digenous cultivars and nutrient-rich advanced clones were generally much higher than those of the common variety. It is interesting to note that anthocyanin (r = - 0.46; -0.43), total carotenoids (r = -0.47; -0.38), ascorbic acid (r = -0.27; -0.24) and tuber dry matter (r = -0.21, - 0.24) all had negative correlations with marketable and total tuber yield respectively. Cluster analysis re-vealed that genotypes from clusters 1 and 3 can be used in bio-fortification breeding. The results of this study also reveal that two genotypes, viz. JEX/A-122 (An-digena line) and Kala Aloo (indigenous line) may be used as breeding material to develop nutrient-rich po-tato varieties.