Abstract
The study was conducted to determine variability for yield and yield related traits in 24 orange fleshed sweetpotato [<i>Ipomoea batatas</i> (L.) Lam] genotypes in the 2017 main cropping season at Hawassa Agricultural Research Center. The experiment was laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications. Data were collected on 19 traits and analysis of variance (ANOVA) was conducted. Significant differences (p≤0.05) among genotypes were observed for root yield and its components as well as morphological and qualitative traits including sweetpotato virus disease reaction (SPVD). The phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV) ranged from 22.1% for mature leaf size to 118.3% for unmarketable root yield, while the genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV) ranged from 20.6% for root girth to 111.7% for unmarketable root yield. All the traits studied showed PCV and GCV more than 20%, suggesting high variability and this could be used for the selection of superior genotypes concerning character of interest. Most traits showed high values for broad-sense heritability, which ranged from 66.7 to 100%, indicating low environmental influence in the observed variation. High heritability coupled with high genetic advances as a percent of mean was observed for marketable root yield, root skin color, root beta carotene content, harvest index, vine length, vine inter-node length and above ground fresh weight, implying these characters are governed by additive gene action and selection would be rewarding for the further improvement of such traits.
Highlights
Sweetpotato is an economically important crop in tropical, subtropical and warm temperate regions [18]
Twenty four orange fleshed sweetpotato genotypes were used for the study, among which two released varieties in Ethiopia included as checks (Kulfo and Tula)
In the present study, high heritability coupled with high GAM were observed for marketable root yield, root skin color, root beta carotene content, harvest index, vine length, vine inter-nodal length and above ground fresh weight (Table 4)
Summary
Sweetpotato is an economically important crop in tropical, subtropical and warm temperate regions [18]. Orange fleshed sweetpotato [Ipomoea batatas (L) Lam.] is considered as a helpful crop in the fight against malnutrition (Vitamin A deficiency) in Africa. It is crosspollinated (self-incompatible) and, highly heterozygous crops in which many of the traits show continuous variation. Since it is highly heterozygous, there is extensive variability within the species, which is available for exploitation by plant breeders [25]. This study was initiated to assess variability in orange fleshed sweetpotato genotypes to exploit the genetic potential of sweetpotato genotypes for further improvement program
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