Selection of F1 Sweetpotato Hybrids for Fresh Root Yield in Butembo Area, Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo

Select Volume / Issue:

• Volume 6 Issue 2, March, 2019

Year:

2019

Type of Publication:

Article

Keywords:

Agronomic Performance, Ipomoea Batatas, North-Kivu and Polycross Mating

Authors:

Shukuru, Kyowero Kasereka; Valimunzigha, Charles Kambale; Mondo, Jean Mubalama; Mbusa, Heritier Kambale

Journal:

IJRAS

Volume:

6

Number:

2

Pages:

46-56

Month:

March

ISSN:

2348-3997

Abstract:

Sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas L. Lam) is the second most important root and tuber crop in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) after cassava. However, its root yields in the country are among the lowest in the world due to several production limiting factors among which the lack of improved varieties with high yield potential and resistance to biotic and abiotic factors. Cultivar development through plant breeding is the most cost-effective to overcome this problem as no additional investment is required from farmers. This study aimed at selecting promising sweet potato hybrids for root yield potential among sixty F1 hybrids from a polycross mating involving the variety Elengi as the female parent. Field experiment was conducted in Butembo area, eastern DRC, at the Catholic University of Graben Field Station using a randomized complete block design with three replications. Data were collected on total number of roots per plant, number and weight of marketable roots per plant, fresh root yield, fresh biomass weight per ha and harvest index. These data were thereafter subjected to the analysis of variance using GenStat 15th edition software package. Results showed significant differences among genotypes for all observed traits (P

Full text: IJRAS_756_FINAL.pdf