Morphological variability and tuber productivity in exotic orange-fleshed sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas)

Abstract

A preliminary yield trial was conducted with 230 clones selected from the clonal evaluation of the 1600 orange-fleshed clones in upland and lowland conditions. Morphological observations like leaf shape, emerging leaf colour, skin colour, flesh colour, weight of vine (kg) and weight of storage root (kg) were recorded. The existence of continuous and overlapping variation for all the characters indicated the quantitative nature for all the morphological characters studied. The study showed that the selection of a number of superior hybrid clones for yield and other attributes would provide a large gene pool for the recombination from which the promising variety of considerable value could be generated. The carotenoid rich clones also indicates the possibility of significantly improving the nutritive value by making more acceptable products to the consumers whereas storage roots with high dry matter and starch content are more suitable for secondary processed foods. Orange-fleshed clones with high yield can be popularized as an excellent source of β-carotene to control vit A deficiency which affects millions of children in the developing countries since β-carotene is a precursor of vit A.