Yield performance and market acceptability of selected Solanum aethiopicum Gilo Genotypes

Abstract

This study evaluated yield performance and market acceptability of five Solanum aethiopicum Gilo entries. All data were subject to Analysis of variance (ANOVA) and means separated using Fishers LSD at 5% probability level. Further, data was subject to Additive main effects and multiplicative interaction (AMMI) analysis. consumer acceptability was evaluated using sensory analysis, and trader preferences were assessed through traders’ physical sensory analysis. Results revealed significant (P<0.001) genotype, environment, and genotype × environment interaction effects on yield parameters. While G4 consistently produced the highest number of fruits across all locations (46.86-49.45 fruits/plant), fruit weight varied by location, with G6 performing best in Mukono (516.1g), the check variety in Kasese (750g), and G10 in Omoro (666.4g). The AMMI analysis demonstrated that environment and G×E interaction explained 35.8% and 35.1% of treatment variation, respectively, indicating strong environmental influence on genotype performance. Consumer sensory evaluation showed that G9 and G10 consistently received the highest acceptability ratings for whole fruit, fresh chopped, and cooked fruit attributes across all locations, while G4, despite high productivity, received consistently lower acceptability ratings. Similarly, trader acceptability assessments in urban markets revealed that G9, G10, and the check variety were highly rated for physical quality attributes, while G4 scored poorly on market acceptability. The study identified important trade-offs between yield potential and consumer/market preferences, highlighting the need for location-specific variety recommendations. Genotypes G9 and G10 demonstrated the best balance of yield performance and market acceptability, making them promising candidates for commercial production.