EVALUATION OF SELECTED ELITE POTATO GENOTYPES IN EASTERN UGANDA

Potato {,Solarium tuberosum) yield in Uganda averages 7 t ha^-1, which compares poorly with the on- station production ( 251 ha1). This study evaluated the performance of eight elite and two local potato genotypes under farmer conditions in eastern Uganda. Significant (P 0.05) genotypic, seasonal and location interaction effects were observed. In one season, genotypes 381471.18, Victoria and Nakpot 3 yielded better than the local checks, while during the other (wo seasons, 381471.18 and Victoria performed better than local checks. Yields across locations and seasons were 25.5, 14.1 and 19.9 t ha^-1 for each of the 3 seasons. Genotypes 381471.18, Nakpot 3 and Rutuku had higher levels of late blight resistance than the local checks, but 388575.5 and Kabale were more susceptible. Farmer selection criteria of alternative genotypes relied largely on yield potential, market demand, maturity period, skin colour and tuber si/.e, and least on processing qualities of the genotypes.