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Updated: Apr 11, 2026
Multipronged Phenotyping Approaches to Characterize Sugarcane Root Systems
Published on: August 17, 2022
Genotype × harvest time effects on yield, root size distribution, and sensory quality in sweet potato (Ipomoea
Moon Modak1, Mst Masuma Akter1, Sanzida Akter Trisha1
1Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh, 2202, Bangladesh.
Background:
Sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas L.) is a vital root crop valued for its nutritional quality, yield potential, and adaptability; however, the effects of early harvesting on yield, root size distribution, and marketable value are not well understood. This study evaluated nine genotypes to compare genotype performance at two harvest times, classify roots by economic value, and assess consumer-preferred traits.
Methods:
The experiment was conducted at 90 and 120 days after transplanting (DAT). Morphological, yield, and nutritional traits were measured, including SPAD value, vine and leaf characteristics, shoot weight, root number and mass, economic root number and mass, soluble sugars, and total yield. Roots were classified into six size classes based on mass and number.
Results:
More than 40% of root mass per plot consisted of roots weighing 30-100 g, with the remainder distributed among five other size classes. Genotypes G-89 and BARI Sweetpotato-15 produced 150% and 65% higher yields at 120 DAT compared with 90 DAT. At 120 DAT, BARI Sweetpotato-17, G-193, G-89, and BAU Sweetpotato-5 produced roots across all six size classes. Sensory evaluation at 90 DAT indicated that G-54 and G-193 were preferred for texture, boiling, and baking, while G-89 and BAU Sweetpotato-5 were favored for aroma, indicating potential traits associated with earlier maturity under the study conditions.
Conclusions:
Genotypes G-89, G-184, BARI Sweetpotato-15, and G-138 exhibited comparatively higher yields and larger storage roots at 120 days after planting (DAT) under char land conditions, while several other genotypes including G-54 produced satisfactory yields and acceptable root quality at 90 DAT. This indicates their comparatively earlier performance within the evaluated harvest times under the specific char land agro-ecological conditions of the study. Broader applicability and definitive classification would require further validation across additional harvest stages and agro-ecological zones.
