Physiological responses of sweet potato genotypes submitted to water deficit

• Grant number: 23/01704-3
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• Start date: March 01, 2023
• End date: February 28, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Agronomy
• Principal Investigator: Edgard Henrique Costa Silva
• Grantee: Elisa Patricia Ramos de Melo
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias. Universidade do Oeste Paulista (UNOESTE). Campus de Presidente Prudente. Presidente Prudente , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 22/03120-6 - Development of drought-tolerant sweet potato genotypes, AP.PNGP.PI

Abstract

Water deficit can negatively affect the development, yield, and quality of sweet potato tuberous roots, especially if it occurs in the early stages of development. This is a common problem in the edaphoclimatic conditions of Western São Paulo, an important sweet potato producing region. Although the negative effect of water deficit on sweet potato is documented, there are few initiatives that aim to understand in depth the physiological responses of plants under conditions of stress due to water deficiency. The objective is to understand how water deficiency affects the physiology of sweet potato genotypes. Genotypes classified as sensitive and tolerant to water deficit in the rapid screening stage will be evaluated in a greenhouse at two water replacement rates (20 and 100% of pot capacity). Irrigation management will be carried out by monitoring soil moisture, with the aid of time-domain reflectometry (TDR) sensors. Different physiological responses will be evaluated to understand how water deficiency affects gas exchange and water potential. It is expected to generate information that allows understanding the physiological effect of water deficit in sweet potato plants in a way that subsidizes information for a breeding program and adoption of a more efficient production system.