Orange-fleshed sweet potato [Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam] genotype by environment interaction for yield and yield components and SPVD resistance under arid and semi-arid climate of northern Ethiopia

Abstract

Worldwide, sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam) ranks the sixth most important crop valued for food security, income, and nutritious diet for poor farming communities. Despite its importance, there is lack of information and knowledge to introduce the crop to Afar region where malnourishment is high. Six orange-fleshed sweet potato genotypes (Amelia, Erica, Gloria, Ininda, Kulfo, and Melinda were evaluated for sweet potato viral disease (SPVD), yield and yield components in three contrasting locations, namely Aba’ala, Mekelle 1, and Mekelle 2 using a Randomized Complete Block Design to produce variance components. Joint regression, and additive main effects and multiplicative interactions were used to test the Genotype × Location Interactions (GEI). Means for significant traits were separated by Least Significant Difference (p<0.05). Results showed ample genetic variability for total tuberous yield (TTY), and SPVD resistance. Genotypes Ininda, Gloria, Amelia, and Kulfo were superior for TTY with high SPVD resistance. Aba’ala was a hotspot for SPVD, Mekelle 2 was with low SPVD and recorded a high mean TTY. Amelia and Kulfo exhibited static stability, Ininda and Gloria displayed dynamic stability, high harvest index, and fresh vine yield, and were recommended for further stability investigations. The information generated in this study may be useful as preliminary data however, the experiment has to be repeated for practical conclusions and recommendation of stable varieties for the studied agro-climatic zones.

Evaluation of Yield and Nutraceutical Traits of Orange-Fleshed Sweet Potato Storage Roots in Two Agro-Climatic Zones of Northern Ethiopia

“…The comparatively low yield at Aba’ala was expected due to its arid agro-climatic condition with limiting crop growth factors. In addition, the genotypes’ differential susceptibility to viruses may have affected the root yield of genotypes in Aba’ala as reported by other authors [ 35 , 37 ]. According to Lamaro et al [ 37 ], Aba’ala is a hot spot for sweet potato viral disease.…”

“…In addition, the genotypes’ differential susceptibility to viruses may have affected the root yield of genotypes in Aba’ala as reported by other authors [ 35 , 37 ]. According to Lamaro et al [ 37 ], Aba’ala is a hot spot for sweet potato viral disease. The genotypes Ininda and Gloria had high mean storage root yield, beta-carotene, and antioxidant power, which agrees with similar findings observed in Ininda, and Gloria is higher in essential macronutrients and micronutrients compared with other genotypes in the same location [ 38 ].…”

The impact of future climate on orange-fleshed sweet potato production in arid areas of Northern Ethiopia. A case study in Afar region

“…The input data set used in this study include sweet potato field experimental data of 5 years (2015–2019) sourced from Aba'ala, and Tigray Agricultural Research Institute (TARI) with some modifications [ 11 , [23] , [24] , [25] ]. These data are sweet potato planting date, date of flowering, date of maturity, storage root yield, biomass yield, rooting depth, canopy development, harvest index, data on tillage, planting, Cultivar, spacing, soil water requirement and sweet potato growth requirements.…”

“…Meanwhile, higher temperature above 25 °C encourages storage root enlargement [ 9 ]. Temperature also influences migration, redistribution and multiplication of sweetpotato pests and disease for instance, sweet potato virus diseases (SPVD) were more common in hot environment with temperature above 30 °C [ 10 , 11 ], while migration and redistribution of pest and pathogens was witnessed at higher altitudes with a cool environment temperature [ 12 ].…”

“…In Ethiopia, information regarding the future prospects of sweet potato production and the possible adaptation/mitigation strategies for sustainability are scarcely found. Sweet potato experimentation was not done before in Afar region until the year 2019 [ 11 ]. Study on future production possibilities of sweet potato in Afar region was not done yet.…”