The objective of the present research was to estimate the expected gains with correlated selection for tuber yield and general appearance component traits at the seedling stage in potato. Two populations were evaluated at seedling stage (i.e. plantlets obtained from true seeds) cultivated in glasshouse in the Fall and Spring seasons of 2004. Expected gains and gains obtained from selection of genetically correlated traits were estimated in the two experiments. For some traits the expected correlated gains could be obtained at the seedling generation, being, therefore an alternative to increase selection efficiency, especially with traits of low heritability. The tuber curvature was the trait that provided the largest expected correlated gains for general tuber appearance.
Solanum tuberosum L.; correlated gains; selection gain; heritability; genetic breeding
