Enhancing sweet potato production: a comprehensive analysis of the role of auxins and cytokinins in micropropagation.

Abstract

Main conclusion: This review emphasizes the prevalent auxins and cytokinins used in sweet potato micropropagation, their optimal concentrations for effective in vitro regeneration, various propagation techniques, and Africa's potential to improve sweet potato production. Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam., or sweet potato, is a robust, nutritious, and adaptable crop traditionally propagated through conventional methods. These techniques, however, have limitations, prompting the adoption of micropropagation as an efficient alternative for producing healthy, cost-effective plantlets in reduced time. This review critically evaluates the influence of auxins and cytokinins, the most frequently utilized plant growth regulators (PGRs), in enhancing sweet potato micropropagation protocols. The study examines the crop's origins, distribution, and cultivation practices, as well as the morphophysiological effects of PGRs on sweet potatoes. Our analysis reveals that 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) and N6-benzyladenine (BA) are the predominant cytokinins, while naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) and indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) are the primary auxins employed in sweet potato micropropagation. The review also proposes strategies for increasing production, particularly in Africa, and identifies areas requiring further investigation to better understand how these growth regulators impact the physiological development and response of sweet potatoes to environmental stress. This comprehensive assessment contributes to the expanding knowledge base on sweet potato micropropagation and offers valuable insights for researchers and practitioners in the field.