Canonical correlation for tuber trait to assist early selection of potato clones

A potato breeding strategy is applied in early selection to discard the majority of potato clones, to reduce costs and efforts for maintenance and multiplication. The objective of this research was to test the canonical correlation of seeded tuber traits and harvested tubers to assist the early selection of potato clones. Three experiments in different seasons were carried out in the experimental area of the Horticultural Department of the Federal University of Santa Maria. Seeded and harvested tubers of ten potato progeny were evaluated. The tuber traits length, larger and smaller diameter, and fresh weight were submitted to canonical correlation analysis. The canonical correlation showed a trait relationship between potato seeds and their production. The largest association was tuber length. Therefore, long seed tubers produce elongated tubers as well.