Evaluation of White fleshed sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas (L) Lam) Genotypes in different agro-ecologies of Southwest Ethiopia

Abstract

A multi-locational evaluation trial of six white fleshed sweet potato genotypes was conducted in four locations during 2019 and 2020 cropping seasons. The objective of this study was to determine the magnitude of genotype by environment interaction (GEI) for storage root yield and yield-related traits of sweet potato genotypes and to assess the adaptability and stability of sweet potato genotypes in different production environments in southwest Ethiopia. Six genotypes were evaluated across eight diverse environments using a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. Data were collected on yield and yield components in all tested locations. The results showed highly significant difference (p<0.01) for genotype effect, environmental affect and environment by genotype interaction (GEI) for all the traits studied. The analysis also revealed that the magnitude of the mean square of environment was higher than those of the genotype and GEI for all the traits studied indicating the uniqueness of the tested environments. The genotypes Hawassa-83, and Tula were identified both high mean root yield and high stability, closest to the ideal genotype for root performance and consistency of performance across environments. This study provides valuable information that could be utilized in a breeding program to ameliorate genotypes of sweet potato in Ethiopia.