Farmers’ Integrated Evaluation of Elite Orange-Fleshed Sweetpotato Genotypes in Diverse Agro Ecological Areas of Ethiopia

Abstract

Six orange-fleshed sweetpotato genotypes were evaluated in integration with farmers in 2022 to identify their preferred varieties for enhanced production. A mother trial was conducted in a randomized complete block design across five locations: Hawassa, Halaba, Wondogenet, Arbaminch, and Fogera. A baby trial was set up with about 150 farmers. Each farmer got 200 cuttings from one new genotype and two released varieties. Data on yield and yield-related traits were recorded from the mother trial, including organoleptic aspects of boiled roots, and subjected to analysis of variance. Significant differences (p<0.05) were observed for all traits considered. G3 (13NC9350A-9-3) had the highest root yield of 26.83 t/ha, while G4 (105413-5) had the lowest root yield of 12.20 t/ha. The highest and lowest above-ground biomass yields were recorded for G4 (105413-5) and G5 (Alamura) 37.33 to 20.54 t/ha, respectively. The significant differences observed among genotypes in sweetpotato virus disease (SPVD) reactions. G1 (MUSG014052-51-24) and G3 (13NC9350A-9-3) showed the highest and lowest scores of 3.8 and 2.0 for SPVD, respectively, reflecting scores <3.0 and >3.0, which indicate tolerance and susceptibility to SPVD, respectively. Farmers’ criteria included agronomic traits like drought tolerance, earliness (time to harvest), high root yield, SPVD tolerance, and vegetative performance, as well as organoleptic qualities of boiled roots: mealiness, taste, color, hardness, and odor. Considering all these traits, Alamura, 13NC9350A-9-3, and Kabode emerged as the top three genotypes selected by farmers. Therefore, these genotypes are recommended for scaling up in sweetpotato-growing areas in Ethiopia.