SCREENING OF ADVANCED CIP POTATO CLONES FOR BIOTIC (PEST, DISEASE) RESISTANCE, ABIOTIC STRESSES TOLERANCE, YIELD ADAPTABILITY & STABILITY UNDER LOCAL ENVIRONMENT CONDITIONS IN & AROUND LWIRO RESEARCH CENTER, IN SOUTH-KIVU PROVINCE, EASTERN DRCONGO
Authors: MUNYULI Théodore , OMBENI Justin , MUSHAGALUSA Bienfait BASHI , MUHIMUZI Alphonse BISUSA 
Published: January 2023

Understanding farmers’ needs and local genetic resources are crucial steps to improve and conserve potato. Based on current farmers’ interests and demands, a study was conducted to screen and select potato genotypes that are suitable to local environment in eastern DRCongo from some clones that were sent from CIP-Nairobi in June 2016. The investigations were conducted at the research station as well as in farmers’ fields in collaboration with small-scale potato growers from nearby Lwiro research center during the cropping season A (long rain: September-January) and the cropping season B (Short rainy season: February-May) from 2017 to 2021. Each cropping season, the trials were carried out in different fields chosen within Lwiro Research Center following a rotation scale rate. Experimental materials comprised 10 clones from CIP: CIP 39337158, CIP 394611.112 , CIP 398190.404, CIP 398192.41 , CIP 398190.735, CIP 398208.505 , CIP 398202.704, CIP 694474.16 , CIP Shangi Mini tubercule ,CIP 392797.22. These advanced materials were said of being abiotic-biotic and climate-smart tolerant clones. In addition, two local varieties (Kinigi & Cruza) were associated to trials as control. The experiments were conducted following randomized plot designs (on-station), or following simple demonstration plot design with three clones only (on-farm participatory trials). Data collection consisted of recording information about yield and yield components, occurrence and population density of different pest species, incidence and severity of different potato diseases along the production cycle. Results indicated that there was a seasonal and yearly variation in the yield on the clones, during both on-farm and on-station trials. A cross-analysis of on-station and on-farm field data from the seasons and years of field evaluations showed a certain consistency (P<0.05) in the high yielding ability, tolerance to pests and diseases of three genotypes, namely CIPShangii, CIP 393371.58, CIP 392797.22 & CIP 398190.404. Although these 3 clones were found to perform better (better yield, lower susceptibility to pests and diseases) across field site environments, years and cropping seasons, the most promising clone was CIP Shangi Mini tubercule (29.6 t/ha, research station, 19.81 t/ha on-farm) that produced the greatest yield across years and seasons. The rest of clones showed high yield variability across seasons and years. There was a lack of clone stability across season and years. At the on-farm trials, still Shangii was the most preferred clone by farmers with the highest score for yield, resistance to diseases and tolerance to insect damages. Results indicate significant variations among the clones in the yield no much difference in the response to pest population density pressure. Results revealed significant (P<0.05) variability for disease incidence and severity.