Performance of sweetpotato cultivars and elite genotypes in subtropical southern Brazil

ABSTRACT The average yield and quality of sweetpotato in Brazil are below the crop potential due to several traits that can be improved by plant breeding. This study aimed to evaluate the performance of sweet potato advanced clones with potential to be released as new cultivars, recommend cultivars with better attributes for grower's needs at the subtropical region of Brazil or to be used as parents in breeding programs. The genotypes MD1604002, MD1611010, MD1609023, MD1609024, MD1609026, and MD1610036 and cultivars Brazlândia Roxa, Beauregard, BRS Cuia, BRS Amélia, and BRS Rubissol, were evaluated during two seasons 2020/2021 and 2021/2022, in Canoinhas-SC. The experiments were conducted in complete randomized blocks design with four replications where plots were composed of three rows with 15 plants each, spaced 0.75 m apart with 0.35 m between plants. Storage roots were harvested 180 days after planting and evaluated for yield, appearance, insect damage, and shape characteristics. ‘BRS Rubissol’, the genotype MD1610036, with higher root yield, storage roots shape, appearance, and less susceptible to insect damage, and MD1609024, with a good root yield, similar or superior to cultivars Brazlândia Roxa, Beauregard, and BRS Amélia, stood out, and have potential to be cultivated in this region. ‘Brazlândia Roxa’ and genotype MD1611010 are potential sources of resistance genes to insect damage, which is one of the biggest challenges in sweetpotato production in Brazil.