Sangre selection studies: I. Selection and comparative trials

Seventeen clonal selections of Sangre were made from a tuber-unit seed lot planted at the San Luis Valley Research Center in 1982. Seven selections had typical vine size and 10 had larger vine size than the standard cultivar. Progeny of each selection were increased and observed in 1983. During the three-year interval from 1984–1986 comparative performance trials were conducted. All clones selected for larger vines were significantly taller and later maturing than the standard. Clones 10 and 11 also had significantly greater total yields and clones 10, 11, and 14 had significantly greater U.S. No. 1 yields. Tuber shape of these clones was comparable to the standard. Results indicate that improvement may be made in the Sangre cultivar through clonal selection.