In potato breeding, the exclusion of inferior genotypes by selection in early generations provides more versatility and cost reduction. The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of pot size on the expression of tuber traits in potato families grown as seedling generation. Ten potato families were planted in two pot sizes, large (1 L) and small (250 ml), in the greenhouse. The following tuber traits were evaluated: color, roughness, depth of eye, eyebrow, shape, uniformity of shape, pointing, curvature, flattening, tuber general appearance, total mass per plant, average tuber weight and number of tubers. The larger pot provided greater expression of genetic variation for the depth of eye, eyebrow, curvature, flattening, and tuber general appearance of all yield components. Higher means for tuber number, tuber size and tuber mass were obtained in larger pots, while higher genetic coefficient of variation for tuber shape, uniformity of shape and tuber pointing were observed in the small pots.
Solanum tuberosum L.; early selection; genetic improvement
