Presprouting, Root Size, and Cutting Related to Plant Production by Bedded Sweet Potato Roots
Year: 1986
Type: article
Abstract: Presprouting of ‘Georgia Jet’ sweet potato [ Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam.] seed roots accelerated emergence from the plant bed and enhanced early, midseason, and total plant production. Small presprouted roots produced as many or more early and midseason plants as were produced by large presprouted roots, but small presprouted roots produced lighter-weight plants. Cutting the sweet potato roots before bedding did not affect plant weight nor enhance early or midseason plant production. Late season plant production was increased from transverse halves, which was reflected as a trend toward an increased total number of plants from transverse halves. Whole roots deteriorated less when presprouted than when not presprouted. Roots cut into longitudinal halves or cut transversely at the proximal tip deteriorated more when they had been presprouted than when not presprouted. Presprouting did not affect deterioration of transverse halves. Both whole roots and transverse halves had more plant primordia remaining after 5 weeks of harvest when they had been presprouted. Transverse halves had more plant primordia than whole roots when either presprouted or not presprouted. This may indicate potential for increasing total plant production with combinations of presprouting and transverse cutting of either root size.
Source: HortScience
Author: Melvin R. Hall
Institution: University of Georgia
Language: English
Subfield: Horticulture
Domain: Life Sciences
SDG: Zero hunger
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $3,000
OpenAlex ID: W2494483122