Results of correlation and path analyses for identifying breeding-valuable traits in potato affecting yield

The article presents the results of study of 12 potato cultivars in the Omsk region (2022–2024). The aim of the research was to establish relationships between economically valuable traits of potato cultivars using correlation and path analysis methods for their further use in breeding programs aimed at increasing productivity. The weather conditions during the growing seasons differed in terms of hydrothermal coefficient (HTC): 2022 – favorable in terms of heat and moisture supply (HTC = 1.02); 2023 – dry (HTC = 0.78); 2024 – wet (HTC = 1.63). Based on the main yield parameters, the cultivars were characterized for the effective use of their potential. The following varieties were identified: ‘Krepysh’ (Russia) – with high yield (30.8 t/ha) and marketable tuber weight (88.3 g); ‘Gala’ (Germany) and ‘Grand’ (Russia) – with the highest number of tubers (11.4 and 10.7) with low weight of marketable tuber suitable for processing. Correlation relationship was established between the yield and marketable tuber weight in 2022 (r = 0.418) and 2023 (r = 0.504), and in 2024 – between the yield and the number of tubers per plant (r = 0.434). To develop an effective breeding program, using the integration of statistical methods (calculation of path coefficients) with breeding assessment, the highest breeding value of individual quantitative traits of potato plants was determined. A high positive direct effect on the yield was found for the “marketable tuber weight” trait (2022-2023) and “the number of stems per plant” (in the wet 2024); a very low effect (2022-2023) for the “number of stems per plant” trait and an insignificant effect for the “marketability” trait. The “marketable tuber weight” trait can be used in the selection of source material for potato breeding for increased productivity.

1. Mukhordova M. E., Cheremisin A. I., Sogulyak S. V., Urman M. V. An integrated approach to the analysis of promising potato breeding material in the conditions of the Omsk region. Ovoshchi Rossii = Vegetable crops of Russia. 2025;(2):20–29. (In Russ.). DOI: https://doi.org/10.18619/2072-9146-2025-2-20-29

2. Antsuto T. S., Khokh N. A. Adaptive potential of potatoes varieties of belarusian and foreign breeding in the conditions of western region of the Republic of Belarus. Potato Growing: collection of scientific works. Minsk, 2020. Vol. 27. pp. 5–10. URL: https://belbulba.by/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Tom-27.pdf

3. Zhevora S. V., Kazakov O. G., Meleshin A. A., Dudanov I. I. Genetic collection of federal Potato Research Centre. Nauchniye trudi po agronomii = Research papers on agronomy. 2022;(1):10–15. (In Russ.). DOI: https://doi.org/10.35244/2658-7963-2022-7-1-10-15

4. Mukhordova M. E., Cheremisin A. I., Urman M. V. The evaluation of promising potato genotypes in the Omsk region. Kormoproizvodstvo = Forage Production. 2023;(3):12–17. (In Russ.). DOI: https://doi.org/10.25685/krm.2023.97.17.002

5. Potarzycki J., Wendel J. The Effect of Sulfur Carriers on Nitrogen Use Efficiency in Potatoes – A Case Study. Agronomy. 2023;13(10):2470. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy13102470

6. Ye Y., Jin L., Bian C., Liu J., Guo H. Monitoring and Optimization of Potato Growth Dynamics under Different Nitrogen Forms and Rates Using UAV RGB Imagery. Agronomy. 2024;14(10):2257. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14102257

7. Krasnikov S. N., Cheremisin A. I., Sogulyak S. V., Krasnikova O. V. Creation of new source material for potato breeding in the conditions of the Omsk region. Kartofel i ovoshchi = Potato and Vegetables. 2025;(1):43–46. (In Russ.). DOI: https://doi.org/10.25630/PAV.2025.67.94.006

8. Shanina E. P., Klyukina E. M., Stafeeva M. A., Belyaeva N. V., Gonchar O. N. The comparative geographical analysis of potato varieties from a collection nursery. Dostizheniya nauki i tekhniki APK = Achievements of Science and Technology of AICis. 2020;34(6):75–78. (In Russ.). DOI: https://doi.org/10.24411/0235-2451-2020-10614

9. Hunde N. F., Galalcha D. T., Limeneh D. F. Correlation and path coefficient analyses of tuber yield and yield components among potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) genotypes at Bekoji, southeastern Ethiopia. International Journal of Agricultural Research Innovation and Technology. 2022;12(2):144–154. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3329/ijarit.v12i2.64102

10. Sahu P., Chaurasiya P. C., Rangare N. R., Kumar V., Kumar S. V., Singh T. et al. Study on genetic variability, correlation and path analysis in F1 potato genotypes (Solanum tuberosum L.). The Pharma Innovation Journal. 2023;12(7):1336–1339. URL: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/375671426_Study_on_genetic_variability_correlation_and_path_analysis_in_F_1_potato_genotypes_Solanum_tuberosum_L

11. Osaru F., Karungi J., Odama R., Chelangat D. M., Musana P., Otema M. A. et al. Identification of the key morphological sweetpotato weevil resistance predictors in Ugandan sweetpotato genotypes using correlation and path - coefficient analysis. Crop Science. 2023;63(3):1126–1138. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/csc2.20915

12. Ivanov D. A. Application of geostatistical methods in the development of landscape-adaptive land use. Agrarnaya nauka Evro-Severo-Vostoka = Agricultural Science Euro-North-East. 2019;20(4):351–367. (In Russ.). DOI: https://doi.org/10.30766/2072-9081.2019.20.4.351-367

13. Gebreselassie H., Ajema L. G. Correlation, Path Coefficient and Multivariate Analysis for Yield and Yieldassociated Traits among Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) Genotypes Grown in Eastern Ethiopia. New Zealand Journal of Agricultural Research. 2022;8(2):7. DOI: https://doi.org/10.33552/WJASS.2022.08.000684

14. Singh J., Kumar D., Sood S., Bhardwaj V., Kumar R. Kumar S. Genetic variability and association studies for yield and its attributes in cultivated potato (Solanum tuberosum L.). Vegetable Science. 2024;51(1):148–153. DOI: https://doi.org/10.61180/vegsci.2024.v51.i1.20