Flowering capacity and botanical seed production of sweet potato genotypes

Abstract

The identification of genotypes with greater capacity for flowering and seed production is crucial for greater efficiency in the genetic improvement of the sweet potato crop. Thus, the objective of this work was to evaluate the flowering capacity and the production of botanical seeds in sweet potato genotypes. The work was carried out in the municipality of Lavras, located in the southern region of Minas Gerais, Brazil. Twenty-two sweet potato genotypes belonging to the germplasm bank of the Federal University of Lavras (UFLA) were evaluated. The characteristics evaluated were the flowering period (days), the number of viable seeds, the total weight of viable seeds, the weight of 1000 seeds and the percentage of germination. The obtained data were analyzed by means of descriptive statistics, study of correlations and analysis of main components. The sweet potato genotypes evaluated showed a high capacity for flowering and production of botanical seeds. Flowering usually starts 125 days after planting and extends on average for 72 days. Considering future recombination to promote flowering capacity, seed production and greater germination, genotypes BD-05, BD-26 and BD-44 should be prioritized.

Floral biology and phenology of sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas [L.] Lam.) in Cuba: Bases for genetic improvement

“…Our results are consistent, since two genotypes ("CEMSA 74-228" and "INIVIT BM-90") emitted two flowers per inflorescence on the same day. Brito et al (2021) in Brazil studied 22 sweet potato genotypes and concluded that flowering usually begins 125 days after planting and lasts for an average of 72 days. Our results do not coincide with those of the previous author, because in our tropical climatic conditions the sweet potato genotypes began to flower in the month of November approximately 45 days after planting.…”

“…Aspects related to sweet potato flowering have been previously studied due to the importance of this species for the world (Chatterjee and Nagbiswas, 1952;Edmond and Ammerman, 1971;Jones, 1980;Hernandez, 1995;Huaman, 1999;Montaldo, 1991;Lebot, 2010;Martí et al, 2014;Reddy et al, 2018;Brito et al, 2021;Ozturk, 2021;Behera et al, 2022;Shankar and Kaushik, 2022). However, to date, in Cuba and tropical regions, only general descriptions have been documented without detailed information on the biology and floral phenology of the sweet potato, aspects of interest for genetic improvement.…”

Performance of Experimental Orange-Fleshed Sweet Potato Genotypes in the Western Region of São Paulo

“…The sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam.) is a vegetable belonging to the family Convolvulaceae (BRITO et al, 2021). Tuberous roots for human consumption are the main product of commercial interest, but the leaves and roots can be used for other purposes, such as animal feed, ethanol production, and the food industry (BACH et al, 2020).…”