Physiological and biochemical variability studies among orange flesh sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam.) Genotypes

Abstract

An investigation on physiological and biochemical variability was conducted with 25 genotypes of OFSP at Horticultural College and Research Institute, Dr. Y. S. R. Horticultural University, Venkataramannagudem, West Godavari district, Andhra Pradesh to study the physiological variability at 30, 60, 90 and 120 days after planting (DAP) and biochemical variability at 90 and 120 days after planting (DAP). There was a wide variation among genotypes for all the physiological and biochemical parameters during the growth stages. Net assimilation rate (NAR) and relative growth rate (RGR) were high in earlier days therefore more attention is needed in between 30 and 90 DAP. Hence, breeding for physiological traits are considered at the early stages of growth i.e. 30 to 90 DAP. There was a wide variation among genotypes for all the biochemical parameters during tuber growth stages. All the genotypes showed progressive development of starch, sugars (reducing, non-reducing, total) and β-carotene content from 90 to 120 DAP. Breeding for physiological traits should be taken care and the early rapid growth during 30 to 90 DAP will be helpful to increase the production and productivity of orange flesh sweet potato (OFSP). Yield contributing characters like leaf area index, specific leaf area, crop growth rate, net assimilation rate and non-reducing sugar are the most dependable characters and could be effectively used in breeding for improvement in yield in OFSP.