Optimising visual selection in early clonal generations of potato based on genetic and economic considerations.

In 1985, 1986 and 1987, 600 clones were visually assessed at harvest on plant appearance. The clones were harvested 80 days after planting in the first year, in the following years after approximately 80 days as well as after 145 days. The correlation coefficients between years and between harvest times were low to medium. Simulating different selection intensities using the performance of these 600 clones in two successive years, the relation between selection pressure in the first year and the retained proportion of well performing clones in the second year was described. Including the costs of testing, the most economic selection procedure was calculated. This procedure consisted in testing 1,579 first-year clones and 499 second-year clones for every 100 third-year clones required. The optimal period of the main evaluation in the second clonal year is at ware potato harvest time. This selection procedure also provides good selection possibilities for underwater weight and foliage maturity.