Diallel Analysis of Sweet Potato [Ipomoea Batatus (L.) Lam] Genotypes for Combined Beta Carotene and Dry Matter Content in Southern Guinea Savanna, Nigeria (Published)
Roots of orange fleshed sweet potato varieties currently available in Nigeria contain high quantities of β-carotene or pro-vitamin A but have high moisture content. These varieties have been found to be a cheap and crucially important remedy for vitamin A deficiency. The cream or white fleshed varieties on the other hand, have a sweet taste with high dry matter content, giving a dry texture, a quality trait preferred in Nigeria. Development of sweet potato genotypes that can combine these two important quality traits is the objective of this breeding work. A diallel experiment using six parental sweet potato genotypes crossed in all possible combinations were carried out and thirty progenies were evaluated for beta carotene (β-carotene) and dry matter content in Landmark University, Omu Aran, Kwara State, Nigeria. The 30 F1 progenies along with their parental lines were planted in the same field trial. The trial was laid out in 6 x 6 triple lattice in two replications. Highly significant (P≤ 0.01) differences were observed among the genotypes for the traits. The average β-carotene content among the progenies was 2.86 (mg/100g.f.w) while the dry matter content had a mean value of 31.89%. The cross progenies 199024.2 x Excel had the highest beta carotene (14.37mg/100g.f.w) content with highest dry matter content (40.10%) and are therefore recommended for further evaluation.
Keywords: Diallel analysis; dry matter; Southern Guinea Savanna; sweet potato; Vitamin A, β-Carotene
Sugar and Β-Carotene Accumulation in Carrot (Daucuscarota L.) Tap Roots As Influenced By Fertilization and Bio-Stimulant Application under Greenhouse Conditions (Published)
Greenhouse study was carried out to evaluate β-carotene and sugar accumulation in carrot tap roots, at harvest, after treatment with different fertilizer levels either separately or in combination with two commercial bio-stimulants, ComCat® and Kelpak®. Four fertilizer levels included standard recommended NPK level (100%) as well as 50%, 25% and 0% of standard. Foliar application of bio-stimulants was according to recommendations by the manufacturers. Treatments were replicated five times in complete randomized block design. Translocation of sugar was followed by labelling leaves with U-14C-glucose. Both β-carotene and sucrose content increased more or less linearly with increasing fertilization, but most significant increase was observed when carrots were treated with combination of ComCat® at 50% of standard fertilizer rate. In the case of sucrose this was in concert with a significant increase in the translocation of radio-activity from the leaves to the roots where ComCat® was applied in combination with higher fertilizer regimes. Glucose and fructose levels fluctuated rather inconsistently. Kelpak® had no effect on β-carotene content and had inhibitory effect on sucrose content.
Keywords: Bio-Stimulants, Carrot, Fertilizer Levels, Sugar, U-14C-Glucose., β-Carotene