Tuber yield of tree potato cultivars under drought conditions

The performance of the potato cultivars BRS Ana, BRS Clara, and Agata was verified, grown under naturally-induced water stress, in relation to tuber yield. The experiment was carried out in the 2011/2012 season, in the Anta Gorda locality, Canoinhas, Santa Catarina state, Brazil. The experimental design was randomized complete blocks with eight replications, and plots with three rows of 10 plants in each row. One hundred twelve days after planting, the plants of each plot were harvested and evaluated for tuber yield traits. The data were analyzed by variance analysis and grouping of means. The potato cultivar BRS Ana had higher yield of tubers than 'BRS Clara' and 'Agata', but was favored by the rains. 'BRS Clara' and 'Agata', which were most affected by the drought, produced the same number and mass of marketable tubers, though 'BRS Clara' produced tubers with a higher average mass, suggesting a higher tolerance to drought.