Relationship of Photosynthesis and Harvest Index to Sweet Potato Yield

Abstract

Field experiments with 15 sweet potato [Ipomoea batatas L. (Lam.)] genotypes were conducted to study the physiological basis of yield in 1981 and 1982. The leaf area index differed significantly among the sweet potato genotypes during early and late phases of growth, hut showed an inconsistent relationship with yield. Single leaf net photosynthesis ranged from 0.74 to 1.12 mg CO2/m' per sec. Canopy photosynthesis for sweet potato genotypes differed significantly in 1981, but not in 1982. It ranged from 0.81 to 1.16 mg CO2/m2 per sec in Aug. 1981. and from 0.63 to 0.88 mg CO2/m2 per sec in 1982. Four hours after “C-labeling, 14C-assimilate translocation from the treated leaf ranged from 21% to 46%, but did not differ significantly among the genotypes. At final harvest, harvest index [HI, defined as (storage root yield/total biological yield) × 100] of the genotypes varied from 43% to 77% and 31% to 75% for 1981 and 1982, respectively. Canopy photosynthesis during September was significantly correlated with storage root dry matter yield (r = 0.54*) in 1981 and with phytomass (above-ground biomass plus storage roots) (r = 0.60*) in 1982. Both phytomass and HI were significantly correlated with storage root matter yield. Canopy photosynthetic evaluation of sweet potato germplasm may be-more relevant when the storage root sinks are at an advanced stage of development. Our study suggests that yield is poorly predicted by Pn, particularly when the genotypes have different leaf sizes.