Selection in vitro of tolerant sweet potato genotypes to water deficit

• Grant number: 19/25875-6
• Support type: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Effective date (Start): March 01, 2020
• Effective date (End): December 31, 2020
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Agronomy - Crop Science
• Principal researcher: André Ricardo Zeist
• Grantee: Helder Sampaio Ferrazza
• Home Institution: Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias. Universidade do Oeste Paulista (UNOESTE). Campus de Presidente Prudente. Presidente Prudente , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Sweet potato root [Ipomoea potatoes (L) Lam] is an important dietary supplement for the eradication of nutritional deficiencies in calorie or nutrient deficient population groups. In the state of São Paulo, in the last ten years more than doubled the planted area and tripled production. The state is the second-largest producer of sweet potato (163,000 tons), with West Paulista being the main producing region. However, the productivity of the region is quite poor (below the state average) especially due to sandy soils and constant summer. Thus, the objective is to identify, classify and select sweet potato genotypes in vitro in relation to water stress tolerance. 22 genotypes of commercial standards will be evaluated for characteristics for human consumption (the most cultivated in the West Paulista region, the cultivars that were selected in the past decades, the ones launched in the last ten by breeding programs conducted in Brazil, and three accessions belonging to the bank). germplasm of vegetables from the University of Oeste Paulista) and at five water stress levels (0; 7.43; 14.86; 22.29; and 29.13 gL-1 of mannitol). The seedlings will be selected based on parameters indicative of stress. The undergraduate researcher will work on the propagation of sweet potato plants, in vitro establishment and experimental tests, aiming at the selection of sweet potato genotypes that are tolerant to water deficit and that enable more sustainable and productive agriculture. (AU)