Evaluation of Hawaiian Heritage Sweet Potato (Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam.) Breeding Lines

Abstract

Producing ‘Hawaiian Heritage’ cultivars can raise the market value of locally grown sweet potatoes and increase small farmer earnings in Hawaii. Twelve sweet potato breeding lines (Ipomea batatas L.), derived from the Hawaiian maternal parent ‘Mohihi’, together with four check varieties, were trialed under organic management conditions across three environments (site-year combinations) in Oahu, Hawaii (Waimānalo-2018, Waimānalo-2019 and Poamoho-2019). Trials were harvested five months after planting, consistent with local commercial production standards. There were significant differences in fresh harvest yield, post-curing yield, shape, and quality between environments and cultivars. The ‘Hawaiian Heritage’ lines HM 26 and HM 34 outperformed the commercial standard, demonstrating the potential use of traditional Hawaiian germplasm in modern breeding programs. Additionally, ‘Hawaiian Heritage’ lines (e.g., HM 32 and HM 17) with unique traits favored by the local community may be suitable breeding materials for niche markets.