Performance of clones and planting methods of sweet potato

Abstract

Aiming to characterize sweet potato clones as regards yield, root shape and resistance to soil insects-pests, this experiment was conducted, having as checks the cultivar Brazlândia Branca and the clone Surpresa. Randomized blocks design with 13 treatments, 4 replicates and 16 plants per plot was utilized. In this same design with 4 treatments and 9 replicates, another experiment was carried out to test 4 planting methods (1-total bury of the slips; 2-partial bury; 3-loop-shape bury; 4-"U"-shaped bury). The clones 92826, 92762, 92019 and 92070 presented, respectively, the commercial yields 13.79, 16.17, 19.55 and 19.80t/ha, not differing significantly from Brazlândia Branca (12.67t/ha). The clones 92676, 92010 and 92001 did not differ significantly from the clone Surpresa as to root shape and resistance to soil insect- pests. Planting methods 2 and 4 in addition to needing less labor resulted into good commercial yields