Document Type : Original Article

Authors

• Karamat Akhavan Geglouَ ¹
• Davoud Hassanpanah ²
• Ahmad Mousapour Gorji ³
• Yousef Jahani Jelodar ²

¹ Engineering Technical Research Department, Ardabil Agricultural and Natural Resources Research Centre, AREEO, Ardabil, Iran

² Horticulture Crops Research Department, Ardabil Agricultural and Natural Resources Research Centre, AREEO, Ardabil, Iran

³ Vegetable Crops Research Department,, Seed and Plant Improvement Institute, AREEO, Ardabil, Iran

Abstract

Extended Abstract
Introduction
Water deficit is a common stress in potato production that leads to a decrease in tuber quality and yield. Potato plants are sensitive to water deficit stress, and sufficient water availability is essential to increase the quality and quantity of potato tubers, so the aim of this study was to achieve superior cultivars in terms of agronomic traits, marketability, adaptation to regional climatic conditions, and water deficit stress tolerance, and to determine water use efficiency in potato cultivars under low irrigation conditions in Ardabil region.
Methodology
In order to evaluate a number of superior potato cultivars, an experiment was conducted in 2024 and 2025 at the National Potato Research Station farm located in Ardabil. A total of 16 high-yielding genotypes and cultivars with different uses (Chips, French fries, Starch and Fresh consumption) were investigated in this experiment. The experiment was split-block based on a randomized complete block design with three replications. The horizontal plot included three irrigation levels (100, 80, and 60 percent of crop water requirement) and the vertical plot included 16 potato genotypes and cultivars. The tubers were planted in rows with 75 cm spacing and 25 cm plant spacing, and a planting depth of 10 cm. The irrigation method was drip (tape) and according to the schedule based on the desired treatments. The amount of water entering each experimental plot was measured with a water meter. The water deficit stress tolerance index (STi) was calculated in potato cultivars.
Results
The results of the analysis of variance of the studied traits showed that there were significant differences between the levels of water deficit stress, genotypes, the interaction of genotypes and year. Also, the interaction of water deficit stress and genotypes, and the three-way interaction of water deficit stress, genotypes and year in terms of the traits of tuber yield, tuber weight per plant, and water use efficiency, and between the levels of water deficit stress, genotypes were significant. The highest tuber yield, tuber weight per plant, and water use efficiency under normal, mild stress, and severe stress conditions were found in genotypes 1043, Eurostarch, and Javid. The decrease in tuber yield under mild stress conditions was 12 percent and 28 percent under severe stress conditions.
Conclusion
Water deficit stress tolerant cultivars had fewer tubers but larger tuber sizes. Tuber dry matter percentage and water use efficiency increased in water deficit tolerant cultivars under mild and severe stress conditions. Based on the stress tolerance index (STi), G1043 genotype, Eurostar, and Javid cultivars were selected as tolerant genotypes to mild and severe stress. 
Keywords: Potato, Water use efficiency, Water deficit, Quality traits

Keywords

• Potato
• Water use efficiency
• Water deficit
• Quality traits

Main Subjects

• Water Government