1998 Volume 67 Issue 2 Pages 178-182
One of the obstructions in sweet potato cultivation in temperate regions is root storage during winter for the production of vines for the next season.If a homegeneous high yielding true seed population could be developed, vine cuttings obtained from the true seed population could be transplanted in a field, thus eliminating the need for root storage.Mass selections of true seed populations were attempted to develop a high-yield and high-quality true seed population.Selection for root skin color, germination at low temperature, vine diameter and taproot diameter were effective, and a genetic gain was observed for these characteristics.Root yield obtained by transplanting vines grown from true seed population was 70∼78% compared to conventionally cultured control.A β-amylase null population, which can be used for staple food and industrial purposes, was developed. The yield of true seeds by open-pollinating among clones with open field flowering was 144 seeds per m2.True seed populations with good agronomic characteristics could be used as breeding materials including overseas germplasm exchange and for an emergency crop by harvesting a large amount of true seeds, which can be stored at room temperature for a long period.
