Evaluating morpho-physio-biochemical and yield performance of six commercial potato cultivars under a semi-arid agroecosystem

The potato production in semi-arid regions is often hampered by extreme temperatures, high solar radiation, and low soil fertility, which reduce photosynthetic performance and nutrient absorption. Therefore, it is crucial to identify cultivars that can tolerate such conditions without compromising their yield for sustainable production. To address this challenge, a two-year field trial (2023-2025) was conducted at the Horticulture Experimental Area of the Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Pakistan. Six commercial potato cultivars, including Sante, Musica, Sadaf, Lady Rosetta, Berna, and Kuroda, were evaluated in a randomized complete block design with four replications. The experimental site was characterized by sandy loam soil and moderate salinity in irrigation water. Measurements were taken on morphological, chlorophyll fluorescence, and nutrient uptake attributes and subjected to ANOVA to determine significant genotypic differences (p ≤ 0.05). Results revealed that cultivar Sadaf produced 25-80% higher tuber yield, and 5-30% greater nitrogen, while 20-60% greater phosphorus-uptake efficiency compared to the rest of cultivars. Musica also demonstrated a stable performance; however, Sante and Berna were constrained in physiological adaptability and nutrient-uptake efficiency. Principal component and cluster analyses confirmed these patterns, grouping Sadaf and Musica with favorable traits and placing Sante and Berna with stress-linked parameters. The improved performance in Sadaf might be linked with enhanced PSII quantum yield, proton flux, and chlorophyll content, indicating improved light energy utilization and nutrient assimilation. The study highlights developing climate-resilient and input-efficient cultivars for sustainable cultivation in semi-arid ecosystems.