1- Biotechnical Centre Naklo, Naklo, Slovenia;Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
2- Crop Science Department, Agricultural Institute of Slovenia, Ljubljana, Slovenia , lovro.sinkovic@kis.si
3- Crop Science Department, Agricultural Institute of Slovenia, Ljubljana, Slovenia
Abstract: (204 Views)
Sweet potato is one of the most important root crop worldwide. This study aimed to compare agro-morphological characteristics of four sweet potato varieties (Martina, Janja, Lučka, Purple Speclet) from organic farming with additional information about their genetic background. A total of 26 agro-morphological traits were evaluated during vegetation. Pre-grown seedlings were planted in organic fields during the 2021 growing season using the soil ridge cultivation method. The study showed significant differences between varieties in quantitative (except for the extent and intensity of anthocyanin colouration on abaxial veins) and qualitative traits (except for the number and length of primary shoots and internode diameter). The varieties Lučka and Martina proved to be significantly higher yielding compared to the other two varieties. The genetic background of the varieties was evaluated on 8 SSR loci using allele polymorphisms with a total number of 34 different alleles and an average polymorphic information content of 0.60. The favourable informativeness of the selected markers was confirmed by the global genetic diversity of 0.68. The assignment of each genotype to two genetic groups agrees well with the varietal distribution in the phylogenetic tree and the results of the analysis of the genetic structure (Martina/Janja and Lučka/Purple Speclet). The present study contributes to a better knowledge of the sweet potato varieties considered and their agro-morphological and genetic diversity.
Article Type:
Original Research |
Subject:
Greenhouse Horticulture Received: 2023/12/22 | Accepted: 2024/01/1