An evaluation based on the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) and GGEbiplot on French fry potato genotypes in Yunnan, China

Authors: LIANG, SHUMIN - Yunnan Academy Of Agriculture Sciences; JIANG, WEI - Yunnan Academy Of Agriculture Sciences; YANG, YAN - Yunnan Academy Of Agriculture Sciences; LU, LILI - Yunnan Academy Of Agriculture Sciences; Whitworth, Jonathan; Novy, Richard - Rich; BAO, LI-XIAN - Yunnan Academy Of Agriculture Sciences; YIN, ZIYOU - Yunnan Academy Of Agriculture Sciences; LI, ZHOU - Zhaotong Academy Of Agricultural Sciences; HE, PING-GEN - Lijiang Academy Of Agricultural Sciences; XU, YOU-XIAN - Agricultural Technology Extension Center Of Xuanwei; LI, XIANPING - Yunnan Academy Of Agriculture Sciences

Submitted to: Frontiers in Plant Science
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/24/2023
Publication Date: 9/18/2023
Citation: Liang, S., Jiang, W., Yang, Y., Lu, L., Whitworth, J.L., Novy, R.G., Bao, L., Yin, Z., Li, Z., He, P., Xu, Y., Li, X. 2023. An evaluation based on the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) and GGEbiplot on French fry potato genotypes in Yunnan, China. Frontiers in Plant Science. 14:1159848. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2023.1159848.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2023.1159848

Interpretive Summary: Potato varieties and breeding lines from the US were evaluated in Yunnan Province in China. Evaluations were for processing for French fries. Quality, yield and growth traits were evaluated for 33 varieties/lines in comparison to local varieties 'Yunshu401' and 'Cooperation 88'. These evaluations were done at five sites in the north and northeast areas of Yunnan in order to determine the varieties/lines that performed the best and to determine the best sites for agronomic evaluations. The results were evaluated in a GGE biplot which looks at the main effect of the genotype (variety/breeding line) plus the genotype by location (environment). The variety 'Defender' ranked in the top six at all five test sites due to high yield, good processing as fries, late blight resistance and good agronomic traits such as tuber characteristics and plant vigor. 'Premier Russet' and Yunshu401 ranked in the top six at four test sites. Higher yielding varieties/lines included YS401, 'Yukon Gem', 'Defender', 'Echo Russet', and A02267-1Y. Lines A05182-7Y, A06336-2Y, A07008-4TE, and A06084-1TE were deemed unsuitable for growth in Yunnan environments. Testing sites Luquan and Lijiang were identified as the most effective at discriminating between the genotypes among the five trial sites in Yunnan. Test site Zhaotong can be used to discriminate between genotypes and aids in eliminating unstable genotypes.

Technical Abstract: A total of 33 potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) varieties and breeding clones introduced from the United States (US) and two local varieties (Yunshu401 and Cooperation 88, CK) were planted and evaluated at five sites in Yunnan Province, China, to determine their suitability for processing into French fries. The quality, yield, and growth traits of the 35 potato genotypes (designated g1-g35) were analyzed and systematically evaluated. The genotypes were ranked at five sites (e1-e5) using a comprehensive evaluation system that was established by the analytic hierarchy process. A GGEbiplot was used to identify test environments that effectively identified superior genotypes. The results showed the following: (1): Eleven indicators for quality traits, yield traits and agronomic traits were selected as the specific evaluation indicators. The weights of quality traits, yield traits and agronomic traits were 0.483, 0.301 and 0.216, respectively. (2) Compared with the CK, the 33 potato genotypes introduced from the US were classified as not vigorous following ratings of their plant growth on a scale of 1 (very weak) to 9 (very vigorous). They matured too early at the five test sites, and in general, they exhibited low resistance to late blight (Phytophthora infestans), which required the application of fungicides to control the disease. (2) g3 (Defender) ranked in the top six at all five test sites because of its higher yield, better quality of French fries, higher dry matter content, better tuber length/width ratio, longer tubers, plant vigor and stronger resistance to late blight. In addition, g1 (Premier Russet) and g34 (Yunshu401) ranked in the top six at four test sites. (3) g34, g4 (Yukon Gem), g3 (Defender), g33 (Echo Russet), and g18 (A02267-1Y) were the higher yielding genotypes, but g34 and g4 did not exhibit stable yields. g3 and g33 had both high and stable yields. g23 (A05182-7Y), g25 (A06336-2Y), g26 (A07008-4TE), and g24 (A06084-1TE) were deemed unsuitable for growth in the Yunnan environment. The ideal testing sites were e2 (LQ=Luquan) and e4 (LJ=Lijiang) because they were the most effective at discriminating between the genotypes among the five trial sites in Yunnan. Site e3 (ZT=Zhaotong) can discriminate between the genotypes and aids in eliminating unstable genotypes, but it was not effective at identifying superior genotypes. Our research provides suitable methods for screening potato genotypes in similar areas.