Germplasm evaluation, classification, characterization, and preservation are the initial requirements for any crop genetic improvement programs meant to promote economically important traits. Mean performance and range of different expressible traits through ANOVA showed highly significant differences within the various genotypes and helped to evaluate several promising carrot genotypes. The multivariate analysis method was used in this study, which was helpful in resolving different phenotypic and genotypic parameters/measurements of big collections into easy interpretable dimensions.The research work was carried out with eighty-one genotypes to evaluate genetic diversity in a germplasm collection through multivariate analysis.The divergence analysis grouped all eighty-one genotypes into ten clusters and cluster VI was found to be the biggest, comprised of 30 genotypes, followed by IV, which was comprised of 16 genotypes. Cluster X exhibited a high mean value for root weight and anthocyanin content; cluster III showed high value for days to 1st root harvest and root girth, and cluster V for dry matter content, total sugar content, and carotene content; respectively. The maximum distance between clusters was recorded among II and X cluster (43,678.5) follow by I and X (43,199.7), and it indicated that genotypes from these far away clusters could be used efficiently in breeding programs to obtain superior hybrids. Total sugar content (36.14%) contributed most to genetic divergence, followed by anthocyanin content (35.74%). Out of four principal components, PC1 largely contributed towards total variation, followed by PC2. The partial variances (%) from the first to fourth PC-axes were 36.77, 25.50, 12.67, and 10.17, respectively. Genotypes like PC-161, PC-173, PAU-J-15, PC-103, and PC-43 were considered superior with respect to marketable yield and its associated traits such as root length and root weight, and hence can be released directly as a variety.

Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) is a globally vital staple food. Weeds infestation remains a major challenge to potato cultivation worldwide. They compete with crop plants for nutrients, sunlight, space and water, ultimately reducing both yield quantity, quality and enhancing insects and diseases infestation. Effective weeds control through different practices is crucial for maximising potato production. Once weeds have established themselves in a field, it becomes difficult to control and eradicate them. Prevention is a key component of integrated weed management (IWM). In developing countries, hand and manual weeding and herbicide use are the most common methods for weeds control. However, the intensive use of herbicides has been accompanied by high production costs, weeds resistance, environmental pollution (especially surface water contamination) and adverse effects on non-target organisms. Consequently, reliance on herbicides alone is no longer considered sustainable. Therefore, focus is now on new methods of weeds control, such as cultural, biological, mechanical and biotechnological approaches that can be used in conjunction with chemical weeds control. Biotechnology is closely related with chemical weeds management because it helps in development of herbicide tolerant crops and makes herbicides use more sustainable and cost-effective. These weeds control methods can be combined as IWM to mitigate the negative environmental impacts of herbicides. Recognising the critical role of weeds management, this review aims to highlight emerging weed management strategies for potato cultivation.