The objective of this research was to evaluate the growth, tuberization and dry matter partitioning to tubers of early and late potato clones during the vegetative growth. Besides, it was studied the viability for using morphophysiological traits as parameters to select clones more adapted to tropical conditions. The study was conducted in Lavras, Minas Gerais State, Brazil during the rainy season (August to December of 2005). Late clones were more productive than early clones at the end of the growth cycle, due to the more vigorous growth, longer duration of the photosynthetically active leaf area, the greater tuberization speed and the prolongation of tuber bulking period. Results also suggest that the morphophisiological traits used in this study are important to evaluate clones more adapted to the tropical conditions. The following physiological traits were relevant to differentiate late and early clones and should be used in breeding programs aimed at obtaining clones more adapted to the tropical conditions: content of chlorophylls a, b and total of the upper canopy, leaf area, leaf area duration, relative growth rate, and net assimilation rate to tubers. The results of this study suggest that one strategy that could be used to increase potato tuber yield in the tropics is the selection for a longer growth cycle.
Solanum tuberosum; growth analysis; dry matter partitioning; tuberization; morphophysiological index; stay-green
