Yield and soil insect resistance in sweet potato clones

Daiane Da Silva Nóbrega,José Ricardo Peixoto,Michelle Souza Vilela,Ricardo Carmona,Anne Pinheiro Costa,Anne Kelly Da Silva Nóbrega,Elaine Caetano Santos

doi:10.14393/bj-v35n6a2019-42452

Daiane Da Silva Nóbrega, José Ricardo Peixoto + Show 5 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.14393/bj-v35n6a2019-42452

Copy DOI

Journal: Bioscience Journal	Publication Date: Oct 16, 2019
Citations: 3	License type: cc-by

Affiliation: Universidade de Brasília

Abstract

Sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas) is a rustic horticultural crop with high production potential. However, the crop is susceptible to many pests and diseases. The objective of this study was to evaluate 10 genotypes of sweet potato regarding their yield and resistance to soil insects, under Brazilian cerrado soil conditions. Genotypes were selected from the Sweet Potato Germplasm Bank of Embrapa Hortaliças. The experiment was conducted at Água Limpa Farm, belonging to University of Brasilia (UnB), and consisted of a randomized block design, with 10 treatments (genotypes), 10 plants per plot, and four replications. The following traits were analyzed: number of perforations per root, incidence of roots injured by insects, plant resistance degree, root shape, total and marketable root yields, root peel color, root pulp color, pulp total soluble solids, pulp titratable acidity, pulp TSS/TA ratio, pulp moisture, and pulp starch yield. Genotype CNPH 53 (26.78 t ha-1) presented total root yield greater than the commercial variety Brazlândia Rosada (17.54 t ha-1). Genotype Santa Sofia (11.77 t ha-1) and Brazlândia (13.5 t ha-1) had similar marketable root yields. CNPH 53 showed the best agronomic performance, exhibiting moderate susceptibility to soil insects and root shape meeting the market standards. It also had low pulp TA (2.53%); high pulp TSS (12.25 °Brix) and pulp TSS/AT ratio (4.24); pulp moisture content close to 70%; and the highest pulp starch content (11.98%). The traits number of perforations per root, root shape, and pulp TA presented heritability values close to 70%. Marketable root yield, pulp moisture, and pulp starch content demonstrated heritability values greater than 90% and CVG/CVE greater than 1.

Highlights

Sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas) is found in many regions of the world
Seven roots per plot were randomly selected and the following traits analyzed: number of perforations per root; incidence of roots injured by insects (%); plant resistance degree; root shape; total root yield (t ha-1); marketable root yield (t ha-1); root peel color; root pulp color; pulp total soluble solids (TSS; °Brix); pulp titratable acidity (TA; % citric acid); pulp TSS/TA ratio; pulp moisture (%); and pulp starch yield (%)
Based on the mean incidence of roots injured by insects per plot, genotypes were classified in resistant (R), moderately resistant (MR), moderately susceptible (MS), and highly susceptible (HS) (FRANÇA et al, 1983)

Summary

Introduction

Sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas) is found in many regions of the world. Its cultivation has increased due to increased consumer interest in food products with functional characteristics. In 2016, Brazil produced 669,454 tons of sweet potato in 49,554 hectares, with a positive variation of 12.3% as compared to 2015 (IBGE, 2015; 2016). Sweet potato has high production potential since it produces a large volume of roots in a relatively short cycle, at a low cost, throughout the year. It is a rustic crop that grows in poor and degraded soils, presenting great insect resistance, and low response to fertilizer application. Sweet potato is susceptible to many diseases caused by fungi, viruses, bacteria, and nematodes, and can be attacked by several insects and mites (RABELLO, 2010)

Objectives

Methods

Results