Evaluation of Selected Sweetpotato Breeding Lines and Imported Cultivars in the Southern Region of SADC
2002
Laurie, S. M. | Malemela, M. L. | Magoro, M. D. | Braun, B. R. | Bok, I. | Nxumalo, M.
The ARC-Roodeplaat sweetpotato breeding program was recently expanded to a regional SARRNET breeding program for the southern region of SADC because of the similarity in requirements for improved cultivars and in agro-ecological zones in the countries. These included South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Lesotho and Swaziland. Usually local land races are being used and production is low. The breeding objectives are good yield and storage root quality combined with sweet and dry taste. Following crossing and early stage evaluation on-station at Roodeplaat, the most promising genotypes are evaluated off-station to determine adaptability and to involve resource-poor farmers in the selection for taste acceptability. In 2000/2001 cuttings were obtained from virus-tested mother plants of 28 ARC lines and cultivars, 8 imported cultivars and 6 lines from the breeding program at University of Natal, maintained in glasshouses at Roodeplaat. These were propagated in the field and then planted at seven sites in South Africa. Seven cultivars and lines were recommended as better than the control cultivar 'Mafutha' in terms of quality, equal or better in yield and equally acceptable in taste. Four orange-fleshed cultivars, two from the University of Natal, and two USA cultivars, were also recommended. The neighbouring countries received cuttings from virus-tested mother plants of 18 ARC lines and cultivars and 7 imported cultivars. These are being tested on-station during 2001-2003 and will then proceed to off-station evaluation. Namibia, which has already received material since 1996, has recommended four improved cultivars for production in Northern Namibia.
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