Storage root production in sweetpotato (Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam.) : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Plant Science at Massey University, New Zealand

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dc.contributor.authorLewthwaite, Stephen L.
dc.date.accessioned2010-09-30T00:28:25Z
dc.date.availableNO_RESTRICTIONen_US
dc.date.available2010-09-30T00:28:25Z
dc.date.issued2004
dc.description.abstractSweetpotato (Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam.) is a root crop well established throughout the world's tropical and sub-tropical regions. Despite sweepotato's importance, it has been under-researched relative to many other major crops. The main objective of this thesis is to contribute to a fuller understanding of the genetic and physiological factors underlying the production of sweetpotato storage roots for human consumption. The sweetpotato genome is diverse and subject to high levels of natural somatic mutation. Applying the AFLP (amplified fragment length polymorphism) technique allowed a direct comparison of inter and intra-cultivar DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) base sequence variation. Analysis of the variation indicated that although sweetpotatoes are clonally propagated, clones show a lack of genetic fidelity to their source. Further, the level of genetic variation within the cultivar 'Owairaka Red' indicated the continuing emergence of distinct new strains. Plant field establishment represents the interaction of both propagation and growth phases of storage root production. A range of establishment techniques were investigated in a field trial under commercial conditions. Sprouts cut from seed roots and held for six days rather than immediate planting improved establishment as measured by growth, at little expense. Plug raised plants also improved establishment, while potentially reducing the degree of intra-cultivar genetic variation. Plant carbohydrate partitioning in three cultivars, 'Beauregard', 'Beniazuma' and 'Owairaka Red' was examined by field trial over the period of storage root growth. While cultivars differed in the proportions of dry matter partitioned to leaf, stem and root organs, the cultivar specific ratios of leaf to stem dry weight were relatively stable over time. Total storage root dry weight increased with time for all cultivars, but the distribution of storage root grades by size was cultivar specific. Within the storage roots % dry weight increased over time in all cultivars, but total sugar concentration only increased for 'Beauregard' and 'Beniazuma'. Finally, a storage root disorder called 'brown centre' curtails the temperate growing season so was investigated using low temperature storage and a field trial with various nutrition regimes. The disorder was found to be associated with susceptible germplasm, high soil nitrogen and harvest time.en_US
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10179/1739
dc.language.isoenen_US
dc.publisherMassey Universityen_US
dc.rightsThe Authoren_US
dc.subjectSweet potatoen_US
dc.subjectKumaraen_US
dc.subjectIpomoea batatasen_US
dc.subjectPhysiologyen_US
dc.subjectRoot productionen_US
dc.subjectNew Zealanden_US
dc.subjectBeauregard (sweet potato)en_US
dc.subjectBeniazuma (sweet potato)en_US
dc.subjectOwairaka Red (sweet potato)en_US
dc.subject.otherFields of Research::270000 Biological Sciences::270400 Botany::270402 Plant physiologyen_US
dc.titleStorage root production in sweetpotato (Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam.) : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Plant Science at Massey University, New Zealanden_US
dc.typeThesisen_US
massey.contributor.authorLewthwaite, Stephen L.
thesis.degree.disciplinePlant Scienceen_US
thesis.degree.grantorMassey Universityen_US
thesis.degree.levelDoctoralen_US
thesis.degree.levelDoctoralen
thesis.degree.nameDoctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)en_US
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