Phenotypic variation in leaf morphology of the USDA, ARS sweetpotato (Ipomoea batatas) germplasm collection

Authors: JACKSON, MICAHEL - Collaborator; Harrison Jr, Howard; Jarret, Robert - Bob; Wadl, Phillip

Submitted to: HortScience
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/9/2020
Publication Date: 2/20/2020
Citation: Jackson, M., Harrison Jr, H.F., Jarret, R.L., Wadl, P.A. 2020. Phenotypic variation in leaf morphology of the USDA, ARS sweetpotato (Ipomoea batatas) germplasm collection. HortScience. 55(4):465-475. https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTSCI14703-19.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTSCI14703-19

Interpretive Summary: Sweetpotato is an important food crop and breeding efforts are necessary to provide new varieties to overcome pest, disease, and environmental challenges and to maintain world food production. The goal of this study was to provide comprehensive data for plant and leaf descriptors of plant introductions (PIs) from the USDA, ARS sweetpotato collection. During 2012-2014, over 700 PIs were evaluated for several leaf and plant characteristics, and a photographic record of each accession was made. Data were prepared for placement in the USDA, ARS Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN) database and the sweetpotato trait ontology. The leaf traits recorded for each accession were canopy coverage, vine length, general leaf outline, leaf lobing, shape of the central leaf lobe, number of leaf points, leaf petiole length, leaf width, leaf length, leaf width x length, and leaf width/length (aspect ratio). The data indicate that there is wide genetic diversity for vegetative phenotypic characteristics within the USDA, ARS sweetpotato germplasm collection. This study provides important information that has been lacking and can be utilized for curation of the collection and by researchers and breeders working with this important global food crop.

Technical Abstract: During 2012-2014, 737 sweetpotato, Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam. (Convolvulaceae), Plant Introduction (PI) accessions from the United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service (USDA, ARS) sweetpotato germplasm collection were evaluated for several phenotypic leaf and plant characteristics, and a photographic record of each accession was made. Data were prepared for placement in the USDA, ARS Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN) database and the sweetpotato ontology. The parameters recorded for each genotype were canopy coverage, vine length, general leaf outline, leaf lobing, shape of the central leaf lobe, number of leaf points, leaf petiole length, leaf width, leaf length, leaf width x length, and leaf width/length (aspect ratio). The data indicate that there is wide genetic diversity for vegetative phenotypic characteristics within the USDA, ARS sweetpotato germplasm collection. This study provides important phenotype information for the USDA, ARS sweetpotato collection that has been lacking and can be utilized for curation of the collection and by researchers and breeders working with this important global food crop.