Genetic Insights into Growth, Yield Potential and Quality Attributes of Sweet Potato (Ipomoea batatas L.) for Perpetual Crop Improvement

Abstract

The present study was undertaken during the Rabi season of 2024–25 at the AICRP on Tuber Crops, (RHREC), Dharwad, under the UHS, Bagalkot, Karnataka. Twenty-seven elite genotypes were evaluated for interrelationships among traits governing growth and yield potential performance. Analysis of trait variation demonstrated highly significant (p < 0.01) differences amid the evaluated genotypes across all 22 quantitative characters, thus affirming the manifestation of broad genetic divergence within the population. Elevated heritability aligned by a appreciable genetic advance was observed for vine length, number of branches vine-1, leaf area, tuber diameter attributes and yield vine-1, thereby indicating the dominance of additive gene effects and the scope for effective improvement through direct effectiveness of phenotypic selection. Among the evaluated genotypes, TSp 23-11, TSp 16-7 and TSp 23-10 exhibited superior yield potential, while TSp 22-1 and the check variety BS recorded higher harvest indices, indicating efficient assimilate partitioning. Quality traits such as β-carotene, anthocyanin and total sugar content also registered high heritability alongside substantial genetic advance, highlighting opportunities for biofortification breeding. The study underscores the presence of wide genetic variability among elite genotypes and provides a valuable foundation for developing high-yielding and nutritionally enriched sweet potato cultivars suited to heterogeneous ecological zones.