Effect of genotype on growth and yield of sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas) (L.) Lam.) in Jos-Plateau, Nigeria. – O. A. T. Namo and O. P. Ifenkwe.
ABSTRACT
Two field experiments were conducted during the 2000 and 2001 cropping seasons at the Vom Garden of the Plateau Agricultural Development programme, Kuru, to study the morphological characters of fourteen genotypes of sweet potato, namely TIS. 8441, Ex-Igbariam, TIS. 86/0356, TIS. 86/0306, TIS.2271, TIS. 2532.OP.1.13, CIP 4400168, TIS. 2544 Rusanya 1.5, TIS. 82/0270.OP.1.85, TIS. 82/0070.OP.120, TIS. 8/637, NRCRI/UN/13, TIS. 87/0087 and a farmer’s variety (Dan-Mangu), in relation to the tuberous root yield. The treatments were laid out in a randomized complete block design with four replications. Vine length, petiole length, number of branches/plant, vigour score, leaf area index (LAI) and leaf area duration (LAD) varied with genotypes in both years of experimentation. Crop growth rate (CGR), LAI and LAD were higher in high-yielding clones (e.g. TIS.86/0356, Ex-Igbariam, TIS.86/0306) than in the low-yielding ones (e.g. TIS 8441 and NRCRI/UN/13). Net assimilation rate was higher at the early stages of growth. Apart from vine length and NAR, all other morphological traits studied were positively, but non-significantly, correlated with total tuber yield.
Keywords: Azo dyes, toxicity, Desmocaris trispinosa, LC50, human health.