Genotype × Environment effects on morphological and productive components of sweet potato (Ipomoea batatasL.)

Abstract

Sweet potato (Ipomoea batatasL.) is a crop with high market demands because of its well-known health benefits. Limited use of improved clones reduces the crop’s income potential. Plant breeding programs seek to selectgenotypes with good results in a variety of environments by evaluating the interaction effects of genotypes and environments. This study aimed to assess Clone × Growing season effects on morphological and productive parameters of sweet potato clones grown in the municipality of Curitibanos, Santa Catarina, Brazil, in 2016/2017 and 2017/2018. The following clones were evaluated: Brazlândia Rosada, BRS Amélia, Beauregard, BrazlândiaRoxa, and BRS Rubissol. A randomized block design with three replications was used to investigate root length, root diameter, mean root weight, total root number, number of marketable roots, total yield, and marketable yield. Data were subjected to one-way and two-way analysis of variance. Beauregard afforded the largest number of marketable roots and was stable in both growing seasons. Beauregard, Brazlândia Roxa, and Brazlândia Rosada differed in total number of roots between growing seasons. There were no significant differences between growing seasons in mean root weight; BRS Amélia afforded a higher mean root weight than Brazlândia Rosada. Beauregard did not differ in total or marketable yield between growing seasons and provided higher yields than the other clones. BRS Rubissol and Beauregard were found to be the most promising for sweet potato cultivation under the environmental conditions of Curitibanos.