Balochistan, a region characterized by its vast deserts and subtropical climate, holds a unique position in Pakistan's agricultural landscape. Amidst its diverse cultivation practices, the potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) is one of the most important crops in the world and a crucial source of Vitamin C. Its high nutritional value has earned it a place in global agriculture and food security. Balochistan's agriculture, embodying both a challenge and opportunity in optimizing crop yield under the region's distinct environmental conditions. This study evaluates the adaptability and performance of five commercial potatoes (Solanum tuberosum L.) varieties cultivated under the subtropical desert climate of Pishin, Balochistan, Pakistan. Across two cropping seasons Employing a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications, the research focused on key growth and yield parameters, including yield per plot, tuber growth percentage, average number of tubers per plant, plant height on ridges, and emergence percentage. To effectively analyze the complex interplay of these multiple growth parameters and reduce the dimensionality of dataset, Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was employed, enabling the identification of the most significant variables influencing variety performance. Among the varieties tested, "Kuroda" and "Asterix" exhibited exceptional adaptability and performance. "Kuroda" showed a yield increase from 7.03 kg to 14.33 kg per plot and a tuber growth percentage improvement from 46.53% to 88.27% in the second year, underscoring its potential for boosting productivity under subtropical desert conditions. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) indicated that the first two components accounted for over 95% of the variance, highlighting the criticality of yield and growth traits in variety success. Our findings advocate for the strategic selection of high-performance potato varieties as a key lever for enhancing yield and adaptability in desert climates, thereby reinforcing food security and agricultural sustainability in Balochistan and similar regions worldwide.

Keywords: Potato, Tuber, Emergence, Adaptability, Sustainability