Progress 10/01/13 to 09/30/14
Outputs
Target Audience:Our target audiences are very broad - ranging from growers and industry personnel seeking highly applied information on new varieties and timely crop production information to multidisciplinary scientists interested in sweetpotato genomics and the production of biobased, and value- added products from sweetpotato. We adjust our communication strategies appropriately to meet the needs of each target audience and we regularly attend extension-oriented and scientific meetings to disseminate timely information nationally and internationally. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?In addition to training MS and PhD level graduate students, this project typically hires 3-5 undergraduate summer helpers to assist with project activities during project year. This work provides significant real-world plant breeding experiences for the undergraduate and graduate students employed by the project. As part of our project we are also engaged in a number of onfarm extention related training activities. To this end during 2015 we: conducted two on-farm sweetpotato trials with extension agents in Nash and Sampson counties and provided breeding program demonstrations and presented posters of the sweetpotato breeding program's activities at the Annual Sweetpotato Field Day held at the Cunningham Research Station, Kinston, NC; and attended three extension related meetings in various venues around eastern NC. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?We routinely participate in field days and extension meetings at various venues in NC and the region. We also attend and make presentations at state, regional and national and international meetings. We also host numerous industry meetings through-out the year to discuss various special projects related to the sweetpotato industry. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?
Nothing Reported
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
1. After a 1.5 yr project development phase, the BMGF funded the Genomic Tools for Sweetpotato Improvement project. IMPACT: This $12.4 M NCSU lead project, with 8 international partners spread across 7 countries and 4 continents, will develop genomic, genetic, and bioinformatics tools to facilitate crop improvement in sweetpotato (SP), an important food security and cash crop with highly recognized potential to alleviate hunger, vitamin A deficiency, and poverty in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). The new breeding tools developed by our multidisciplinary team will greatly benefit the SSA and global SP breeding community. Significant beneficial spillover effects are also expected for the NC SP industry through this project. 2. After a 2 yr project development period involving significant stakeholder engagement and intellectual property negotiations, McCain Foods funded a $1.4 million project to develop improved SP varieties for the food processing industry. IMPACT: This 5-yr public-private partnership provides the SP breeding program with additional resources needed to address near- and long-term SP processing industry needs. 3. Covington, released by our program, continues to be an important variety in NC and the US. IMPACT: Approximately 90% of NC's SP crop is planted to Covington. Based on USDA NASS and NCDA&CS figures, NC farmer's harvested ca. 72,000 acres of SP in 2014, up 19,000 acres from 2013. Yields averaged 220 cwt/A setting a record high. Based on the 2013 SP crop value ($228.96 M), the 2014 NC farm-gate value of Covington was ca. $206 M, with royalties for NCSU totaling $313,777. 4. Our ornamental SP (OSP) breeding program with Proven Winners (PW) continues to be highly productive. During 2014, we released 'NCORNSP-018SCDIJO' to be marketed as 'Sweet Caroline Dijon' to Innova Plant Ltd., Gensinghen, Germany, PW's European marketing partner. IMPACT: PW now markets 18 NCSU OSP varieties in 11 countries. Over 4.5 million of our OSP plants were sold in 2013-2014 generating NCSU royalties of $216,722, and ca. $18 million in receipts ($4/plant) for a wide range of large to small greenhouse, nursery and floricultural businesses. 5. Roughly 50 acres of NCPUR06-020, our purple-fleshed sweetpotato (PFSP) were produced by 3 certified seed producers in 2013 and $16,232 of EV30 concentrate or raw PFSP product were marketed to several food companies during 2014. IMPACT: NCPUR06-020, a PFSP bred as a source of natural colorant with functional food properties for the food processing sector, was developed under an SRA with Avoca, Inc., of Merry Hill, NC. Due to changing market conditions, Avoca discontinued its exclusive licensing agreement for NCPUR06-020 and we are currently negotiating with several companies to produce and market the natural colorant derived from NCPUR06-020 in 2015. We believe this represents a significant "in-sourcing" opportunity for our SP farmers as most PFSP-based colorants are obtained from China and Japan. 6. We obtained our 18th and 17th year of funding from the NCSPC supporting the breeding program's research station and Grower Participatory Breeding Project (GPBP), respectively. IMPACT: Since 2000, the NCSPC has provided > $468 K in support of our variety development efforts. New conventional, specialty and ISP varieties have enabled growers to diversify their farming operations, increasing farm profitability and sustainability. Plant Patented varieties released from the program also benefit the NCSPC's efforts through our royalty sharing arrangement, which contributed ca. $30K in revenue to Henry M. Covington Endowment for Excellence in Sweet Potato Research and Extension. These funds are used to support a broad range of sweetpotato research and extension efforts in CALS. 7. We continued our collaboration with Dr. Mike Jackson of the USDA ARS in a long-term project to identify and develop SP that are resistant to soil insects. IMPACT: Soil insects are a major production issue for SP. Breeding SP's with resistance to soil insects will contribute to a more sustainable SP production system and through this research we have found that several of our clones possess high levels of WDS resistance.
Publications
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
George, N.A., M. Shankle, J. M, K.V. Pecota, C. Arellano, G. C. Yencho. 2014. Sweetpotato grown from root pieces displays significant genotype � environment interaction and yield instability. HortScience 49(8):984990.
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
Kivuva, B.M., S.M. Githiri, G.C. Yencho, J. Sibiya. 2014. Genotype x environment interaction for storage root yield in sweetpotato under managed drought stress conditions. J. Agric. Sci. 6:41-56.
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
Grace, Mary H., G.G. Yousef, S.J. Gustafson, V.D. Truong, G. C. Yencho, M.A Lila. 2014. Phytochemical changes in phenolics, anthocyanins, ascorbic acid, and carotenoids associated with sweetpotato storage and impacts on bioactive properties. Food Chemistry 145:717-724.
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
Kivuva, B.M., S.M. Githiri, G.C. Yencho, J. Sibiya. 2014. Genotype x environment interaction for storage root yield in sweetpotato under managed drought stress conditions. J. Agric. Sci. 6:41-56.
|
Progress 10/01/12 to 09/30/13
Outputs
Target Audience: Our target audiences are very broad ranging from growers and industry personnel seeking highly applied information on new varieties and timely crop production information to multidisciplinary scientists interested in sweetpotato genomics and the production of bio-based, value-added products from sweetpotato. We adjust our communication strategies appropriately to meet the needs of each target audience and we regularly attend extension based and scientific meetings to disseminate timely information nationally and internationally. Changes/Problems: Declining funding at state and federal levels will continue to impede our progress and ability to address industry issues. To address this need we are working to develop new models of research in sweetpotato. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? In addition to training MS and PhD level graduate students, this project typically hires 3-5 undergraduate summer helpers to assist with project activities during project year. This work provides significant real-world plant breeding experiences for the undergraduate and graduate students employed by the project. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Conducted two on-farm sweetpotato trials with extension agents in Nash and Sampson counties. Conducted four on-farm potato trials with extension agents in Pasquotank and Tyrrell Counties. Provided breeding program demonstrations and presented posters of the sweetpotato breeding program’s activities at the Annual Sweetpotato Field Day held at Jones Farm, Bailey, NC as well as numerous extension related meetings. Our research is supported by the following foundations and we provide regular reports to all of these entities: The McKnight Foundation, The GoldenLEAF Foundation, The NC SweetPotato Commission, The NC Certified Sweet Potato Seed Growers, Inc., ConAgra-Lamb Weston, McCain Foods, Simplot, Proven Winners. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? We will continue to agressivley pursue the program's breeding goals stated above, seek new sources of support to advance sweetpotato breeding and genomics research, and develop new public, private partnerships with industry and other engaged clientele in the US and abroad.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Highlights of our 2013 applied breeding activities are as follows: We are advancing several promising clones. The most promising is NC05-198, a rose-skinned, orange-fleshed type. It is similar in appearance to Beauregard but is more consistent for shapes and averages a higher packout. It has good resistance to Fusarium wilt and soil rot, but is susceptible to root-knot nematodes. Eating and sprouting are good. It has performed well in the National Collaborators Group yield trials in 2011 and 2012, and we have trialed it extensively on our research station, on-farm and in disease resistance trials. The main concern is that it will crack under significant nematode pressure and then show secondary infection with surface fusarium wilt. Nematodes would need to be controlled for this clone. Virus indexed plants are available and it is available under a Plant Variety Trialing Agreement. In our paired-cross and polycross breeding nurseries we harvested ca. 114,000 true seed. These seed represent the foundation of our program’s efforts. Roughly half will be planted in the field for evaluation during 2014. In our tablestock early generation breeding plots, we planted 45,782 true seed in research station and on-farm sites, and made 1,962 new seedling selections covering all categories. We also planted 1,239 second-year and 252 third-year selections at the Horticultural Crops Research Station (HCRS), Clinton and the Cunningham Research Station (CRS), Kinston as 25-hill and 50-75-hill plots from which 256 and 76 selections were made, respectively. Each of these selections has the potential to be a new variety. In our preliminary and advanced clone evaluations, we conducted 18 replicated yield trials at the HCRS and the CRS. The results of these trials are reported in Tables 4 – 21. We completed our 16th year of the Grower-Participatory Breeding Project (GPBP). In addition to seedlings, we evaluated 18 advanced or preliminary lines tablestock and tablestock/processing lines, at our three GPBP sites. Detailed results of these evaluations are reported in the GPBP report. In our disease nurseries, we evaluated 181 clones for field resistance to Streptomyces soil rot (SSR) in replicated 5-hill plots in our disease nursery at the HCRS. These clones were also screened for Fusarium wilt and root-knot nematodes in replicated greenhouse trials. With the MPU, we continued our long-standing collaboration with Dr. Zvezdana Pesic-VanEsbroeck by providing new clones for clean up and testing, and assisting with the evaluation of the “seed source” tests conducted at the HCRS. These evaluations are reported on in the MPU report. We continued our collaboration with Dr. Den Truong, USDA-ARS to evaluate the processing potential of advanced clones compared to Covington, and continued our project to determine the inheritance of anthocyanins in purple-fleshed sweetpotatoes and their potential nutriceuticals and natural colorant properties. We continued our collaboration with Dr. Mike Jackson of the USDA-ARS to identify and develop sweetpotatoes with resistance to soil insects. To do this, we grow seed from crosses of USDA materials that have demonstrated insect resistance and screen materials for insect resistance and adaptation in SC and NC, respectively. This strategy enables us to select for adaptation and insect tolerance at the same time. Several of the clones appear to have resistance to the WDS complex. This research needs to be confirmed, but we are excited at this prospect and this collaboration is going well. 9. Last, we have continued to develop near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS) sweetpotato storage root chemistry screening protocols. This year we have scanned freeze-dried samples of over 1,200 lines in storage and obtained estimates of the glucose, fructose and sucrose levels, and dry matter and starch content. Through this process we identified a several outstanding clones with very good tablestock and processing chemistries. It remains to be seen if any have a complete horticultural package necessary for release. We plan to continue and expand the use of NIRS in 2014. Outcomes/IMPACTs: The variety development work (conventional-, specialty-, industrial- and ornamental-type) conducted by the program has benefited the NC and US sweetpotato industry through the development of improved varieties. These improved varieties typically possess exceptional yield, appearance and quality characteristics. They will also have high levels of resistance to diseases, and thus contribute to the development of a more sustainable and economically viable sweetpotato production system. Specific impacts of our work is as follows. The variety Covington, which was developed and released by our program in 2005, continues to be an important variety. During 2013, approximately 90% of NC’s sweetpotato crop was planted to Covington. Covington has experienced remarkable growth due in part to increased awareness of the nutritional properties of sweetpotatoes and the production of value-added products by the potato processing industry. Based on the 2013 NCDA&CS estimate of 53,000 acres of sweetpotato harvested and a farm gate value of $172 million, Covington accounted for ca. $146 million in NC farm-gate receipts. Yields averaged 200 cwt. per acre matching the record high set in 2011, and total production exceeds 1 billion pounds. Our ornamental SP breeding program with Proven Winners launched during 2010 continues to be highly productive. This year we released two new lines ‘NCORNSP-016SCC’ and ‘NCORNSP-017SCBG’, to be marketed as ‘Sweet Caroline Copper’ and ‘Sweet Caroline Black Galaxy’, to Innova Plant Ltd., Gensinghen, Germany, PW’s European marketing partner. IMPACT: Proven Winners now markets 15 NCSU OSP varieties in 11 countries. Over 4.75 million of our OSP plants were sold this year, up 12.2 % from 2012 and ca. 120% from 2010. Using $4/plant to estimate consumer sales, in 2013 our OSP generated ca. $19 million in receipts for a wide range of large to small greenhouse, nursery and floricultural businesses. Over 50 acres of NCPUR06-020, our industrial purple-fleshed sweetpotato were produced by 3 certified seed producers in 2013. IMPACT: NCPUR06-020, a high anthocyanin sweetpotato bred as a source of natural colorant with functional food properties for the food processing sector, was developed under an SRA with Avoca, Inc., of Merry Hill, NC. Avoca has an exclusive licensing agreement to use NCPUR06-020 as feedstock for their proprietary color extraction process and over 250 acres of NCPUR06-020 are planned for 2013-2014. This public-private partnership, represents a significant “in-sourcing” opportunity for our SP farmers as most sweetpotato-based colorants are obtained from China and Japan. Lastly, the development of our genetic map of sweetpotato represents a significant milestone as it is the first complete genetic map of sweetpotato to be produced with multiple QTL to be placed the map. We have now begun to develop a second generation map and we expect that this valuable genetic resource will be used by other sweetpotato researchers world-wide. Funding for this project was provided by the McKnight Foundation Collaborative Crops Research Project, and we have been collaborating with The International Potato Center, Lima, Peru to place additional SSR and SNP markers in this map.
Publications
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Duvernay, W.H., M.S. Chinn, G.C. Yencho. 2013. Hydrolysis and fermentation of sweetpotatoes for production of fermentable sugars and ethanol. Industrial Crops and Products. 42:527-537.
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Mwanga, R.O.M., G.C. Yencho, R.W. Gibson, and J.W. Moyer. 2013. Methodology for inoculating sweetpotato virus disease: discovery of tip dieback, and plant recovery and reversion in different clones. Plant Disease. 97:30-36.
- Type:
Other
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Yencho, G.C. and K.V. Pecota. 2013. Progress Reports to the NC Sweetpotato Commission Sweetpotato Breeding and Variety Development and Grower Participatory Breeding Support. In: NC Sweetpotato Research and Extension Reports 2012. Submitted to: NC SweetPotato Commission, Inc., Jan. 2012.
- Type:
Other
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Yencho, G.C. and K.V. Pecota. 2013. Report on the 2011 National Sweetpotato Collaborators Trial. pp. 45-51. In: Pecota, K. (ed.). NSPCG Progress Report, 2013. 86 pp.
|
Progress 10/01/11 to 09/30/12
Outputs
OUTPUTS: The objectives of the sweetpotato breeding program are to develop sweetpotato varieties adapted to the growing conditions of North Carolina and the southeastern US; 2) broaden the germplasm base of cultivated sweetpotato through the incorporation of land races and related species; 3) provide advanced training for national and international students and scientists interested in sweetpotato improvement; and 4) develop and incorporate new breeding techniques and tools for the improvement of sweetpotato. Highlights of our 2011 applied breeding activities are as follows: 1) we planted 44,125 true seed at two research station, and two on-farm sites and made 1,144 tablestock and industrial sweetpotato selections; 2) we planted 1,286 second-year and 127 third-year selections as 25-hill and 100-hill plots at two research station sites from which 252 and 64 selections were made, respectively; 3) we planted over 14 replicated trials at five sites to evaluate the performance of our preliminary and advanced clones; 4) we conducted the 15th year of our Grower Participatory Breeding Project where seedlings and advanced clones are evaluated on-farm with the assistance of growers, Extension Agents and Research Specialists; and 5) we screened over 200 advanced or preliminary sweetpotato clones for resistance to Streptomyces soil rot (field and greenhouse evaluations), root knot nematode (gh) and Fusarium (gh). PARTICIPANTS: Project Participants Dr. G. Craig Yencho, PI Professor and Program Leader, Sweetpotato and Potato Breeding and Genetics Projects, NC State University Mr. Kenneth V. Pecota, (co-PI) Researcher, Sweetpotato Breeding and Genetics Program, NC State University Collaborators (US) Dr. Oluwatosin Adedipe, Postdoctoral Associate, Potato Acrylamide Project Coordinator, Sweetpotato Breeding and Genetics Program, NC State University Dr. Bryon Sosinski, Associate Professor, Horticultural Genomics, NC State University Dr. Zvezdana Pesic-VanEsbroeck, Department of Plant Pathology and Director, NC State University Micropropagation Unit Dr. Jonathan Schultheis, Professor, Department of Horticultural Science, NC State University Dr. Van-Den Truong, Research Scientist, USDA-ARS Food Science Research Unit at NC State University Dr. Michael Jackson, Research Entomologist, USDA-ARS Vegetable Research Laboratory, Charleston, SC Dr. Mike Boyette, Philip Morris Professor, Biological and Agricultural Engineering Bioprocessing and Environmental Controls, Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering, NC State University. Dr. Mari Chinn, Assistant Professor, Microbial Fermentation/Process Engineering, Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering, NC State University. Dr. Matthew Veal, Associate Professor, Biofuels Extension, Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering, NC State University. Our research is supported by the following foundations The McKnight Foundation The GoldenLEAF Foundation Our research is supported by the following industry groups: The NC SweetPotato Commission The NC Certified Sweet Potato Seed Growers, Inc. ConAgra-Lamb Weston McCain Foods AIS Consulting Simplot Proven Winners Royalty revenues Training or Professional Development In addition to training MS and PhD level graduate students, this project typically hires 3-5 undergraduate summer helpers to assist with project activities during project year. This work provides significant real-world plant breeding experiences for the undergraduate and graduate students employed by the project. TARGET AUDIENCES: Our target audiences are very broad ranging from growers and industry personnel seeking highly applied information on new varieties and timely crop production information to multidisciplinary scientists interested in sweetpotato genomics and the production of bio-based, value-added products from sweetpotato. We adjust our communication strategies appropriately to meet the needs of each target audience and we regularly attend extension based and scientific meetings to disseminate timely information nationally and internationally. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
The variety development work (conventional-, specialty-, industrial- and ornamental-type) conducted by the program has benefited the NC and US sweetpotato industry through the development of improved varieties. These improved varieties typically possess exceptional yield, appearance and quality characteristics. They will also have high levels of resistance to diseases, and thus contribute to the development of a more sustainable and economically viable sweetpotato production system. Specific impacts of our work is as follows. The variety Covington, which was developed and released by our program in 2005, continues to be an important variety. During 2012, approximately 90% of NC's sweetpotato crop was planted to Covington. Covington has experienced remarkable growth due in part to increased awareness of the nutritional properties of sweetpotatoes and the production of value-added products by the potato processing industry. Based on NCDACS figures, NC farmers harvested 64,000 acres of sweet potatoes in 2011, up 10,000 acres from 2010. Yields averaged 180 cwt. per acre, which matched the record high set in 2009, and total production also set a new record high at 1.28 billion pounds, which was 32% above the 2010 record of 9.72 million cwt. The 2012 figures for this record crop are not in, but based on the 2011 figures, the 2011 NC farm-gate value of Covington will be greater than $226.56 million, and the total US value will exceed $270 million. In addition to our tablestock sweetpotato varieties, our award winning ornamental sweetpotatoes (OSP) are also performing well. During 2012, we released two new OSP: NCORNSP-016SCBG; and NCORNSP-017SCC part of our Sweet Caroline series of OSP under the trademark names Sweet Caroline Black Galaxy and Sweet Caroline Copper, respectively. During 2012, Proven Winners, the exclusive marketing partner selected to commercialize these materials sold 4.35 million of our OSP plants, up 23% from. Currently, we estimate that our varieties generate > $16 million in yearly revenue for a wide range of large to small greenhouse, nursery and floricultural businesses. Lastly, the development of our genetic map of sweetpotato represents a significant milestone as it is the first complete genetic map of sweetpotato to be produced with multiple QTL to be placed the map. We have now begun to develop a second generation map and we expect that this valuable genetic resource will be used by other sweetpotato researchers world-wide. Funding for this project was provided by the McKnight Foundation Collaborative Crops Research Project, and we have been collaborating with The International Potato Center, Lima, Peru to place additional SSR and SNP markers in this map.
Publications
- Mwanga, R.O.M., M. Ghislain, J. Kreuze, G.N. Ssemakula, and G.C. Yencho. 2011. Exploiting the use of biotechnology in sweetpotato for improved nutrition and food security: progress and future outlook. Proceedings of the International Conference on Agro-Biotechnology, Biosafety and Seed Systems in Developing Countries. Published by: The Science Foundation for Livelihoods and Development. Kampala, Uganda (www.scifode-foundation.org).
- Truong, V.D., R.Y. Avula, K.V. Pecota, and G.C. Yencho. 2011. Sweetpotatoes, pp. 717 - 737. In Y.H. Hui, N. Sinha, J. Ahmed, E.O. Eyranuz and M. Siddig (eds.). Handbook of Vegetables and Vegetable Processing, Wiley-Blackwell, Ames, Iowa. 772pp.
- Yencho, G.C. and K.V. Pecota. 2012. Progress Reports to the NC Sweetpotato Commission, Sweetpotato Breeding and Variety Development and Grower Participatory Breeding Support. In: NC Sweetpotato Research and Extension Reports 2011. Submitted to: NC SweetPotato Commission, Inc., Jan. 2012.
- Yencho, G.C. and K.V. Pecota. 2012. Report on the 2011 National Sweetpotato Collaborators Trial. pp. 40-44. In: Pecota, K. (ed.). NSPCG Progress Report, 2012.
|
Progress 10/01/10 to 09/30/11
Outputs
OUTPUTS: The objectives of the sweetpotato breeding program are to develop sweetpotato varieties adapted to the growing conditions of North Carolina and the southeastern US; 2) broaden the germplasm base of cultivated sweetpotato through the incorporation of land races and related species; 3) provide advanced training for national and international students and scientists interested in sweetpotato improvement; and 4) develop and incorporate new breeding techniques and tools for the improvement of sweetpotato. Highlights of our 2010 applied breeding activities are as follows: 1) we planted 45,686 true seed at two research station, and two on-farm sites and made 723 tablestock and industrial sweetpotato selections; 2) we planted 723 second-year and 269 third-year selections as 25-hill and 100-hill plots at two research station sites from which 127 and 86 selections were made, respectively; 3) we planted over 12 replicated trials at five sites to evaluate the performance of our preliminary and advanced clones; 4) we conducted the 14th year of our Grower Participatory Breeding Project where seedlings and advanced clones are evaluated on-farm with the assistance of growers, Extension Agents and Research Specialists; and 5) we screened over 200 advanced or preliminary sweetpotato clones for resistance to Streptomyces soil rot (field and greenhouse evaluations), root knot nematode (gh) and Fusarium (gh). PARTICIPANTS: Dr. G. Craig Yencho, PI Professor and Program Leader, Sweetpotato and Potato Breeding and Genetics Projects, NC State University Mr. Kenneth V. Pecota, (co-PI) Researcher, Sweetpotato Breeding and Genetics Program, NC State University Collaborators (US) Dr. Nicholas George, Postdoctoral Associate, Sweetpotato Biofuels Project Coordinator, Sweetpotato Breeding and Genetics Program, NC State University Dr. Bryon Sosinski, Associate Professor, Horticultural Genomics, NC State University Dr. Zvezdana Pesic-VanEsbroeck, Department of Plant Pathology and Director, NC State University Micropropagation Unit Dr. Jonathan Schultheis, Professor, Department of Horticultural Science, NC State University Dr. Van-Den Truong, Research Scientist, USDA-ARS Food Science Research Unit at NC State University Dr. Michael Jackson, Research Entomologist, USDA-ARS Vegetable Research Laboratory, Charleston, SC Dr. Mike Boyette, Philip Morris Professor, Biological and Agricultural Engineering Bioprocessing and Environmental Controls, Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering, NC State University. Dr. Mari Chinn, Assistant Professor, Microbial Fermentation/Process Engineering, Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering, NC State University. Dr. Matthew Veal, Associate Professor, Biofuels Extension, Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering, NC State University. Our research is supported by the following foundations The McKnight Foundation The GoldenLEAF Foundation The Biofuels Center or NC Our research is supported by the following industry groups: The NC SweetPotato Commission The NC Certified Sweet Potato Seed Growers, Inc. ConAgra-Lamb Weston McCain Foods AIS Consulting Simplot Proven Winners Royalty revenues Training or Professional Development In addition to training MS and PhD level graduate students, this project typically hires 3-5 undergraduate summer helpers to assist with project activities during project year. This work provides significant real-world plant breeding experiences for the undergraduate and graduate students employed by the project. TARGET AUDIENCES: Our target audiences are very broad ranging from growers and industry personnel seeking highly applied information on new varieties and timely crop production information to multidisciplinary scientists interested in sweetpotato genomics and the production of bio-based, value-added products from sweetpotato. We adjust our communication strategies appropriately to meet the needs of each target audience and we regularly attend extension based and scientific meetings to disseminate timely information nationally and internationally. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
The variety development work (conventional-, specialty-, industrial- and ornamental-type) conducted by the program has benefited the NC and US sweetpotato industry through the development of improved varieties. These improved varieties typically possess exceptional yield, appearance and quality characteristics. They will also have high levels of resistance to diseases, and thus contribute to the development of a more sustainable and economically viable sweetpotato production system. Specific impacts of our work is as follows. The variety Covington, which was developed and released by our program in 2005, continues to grow in importance. During 2011, approximately 90% of NC's sweetpotato crop was planted to Covington. Covington has experienced remarkable growth due in part to increased awareness of the nutritional properties of sweetpotatoes and the production of value-added products by the potato processing industry. Based on USDA NASS figures, NC farmers harvested 64,000 acres of sweet potatoes in 2011, up 10,000 acres from 2010. Yields averaged 200 cwt. per acre, which matched the record high set in 2009, and total production also set a new record high at 1.2 billion pounds, which was 32% above last year's record of 9.72 million cwt. The 2011 figures for this record crop are not in, but based on the 2010 figures, the 2011 NC farm-gate value of Covington will be greater than $160 million, and the total US value will exceed $250 million. In addition to our tablestock sweetpotato varieties, our award winning ornamental sweetpotatoes (OSP) are also performing well. During 2011, we released three new OSP: NCORNSP-013GNLC; NCORNSP-014BWPI: and NCORNSP-015SCPI. These were released as part of our Sweet Caroline series of OSP under the trademark names Illusion Green Lace, Sweet Caroline Bewitched and Sweet Caroline Raven, respectively. During 2011, Proven Winners, the exclusive marketing partner selected to commercialize these materials sold 3.7 million of our OSP plants, up 27.8% from 2010 our 1st year of partnership. Currently, we estimate that our varieties generate > $10 million in yearly revenue for a wide range of large to small greenhouse, nursery and floricultural businesses. Lastly, the development of our genetic map of sweetpotato represents a significant milestone as it is the first complete genetic map of sweetpotato to be produced with multiple QTL to be placed the map. We have now begun to develop a second generation map and we expect that this valuable genetic resource will be used by other sweetpotato researchers world-wide. Funding for this project was provided by the McKnight Foundation Collaborative Crops Research Project, and we have been collaborating with The International Potato Center, Lima, Peru and the USDA-ARS to place additional SSR and SNP markers in this map.
Publications
- Cervantes-Flores, J.C., B. Sosinski, K.V. Pecota, R.O.M. Mwanga, G.L. Catignani, V.D. Truong, R.H. Watkins, M.R. Ulmer, and G.C. Yencho. 2011. Identification of quantitative trait loci for dry-matter, starch, and b-carotene content in sweetpotato. Mol. Breeding. 28:201-216.
- George, N.A., K.V. Pecota, B.D. Bowen, J.R. Schultheis, and G.C. Yencho. 2011. Root piece planting in sweetpotato - a synthesis of previous research and directions for the future. HortTechnology (Reviews). 21:703-711.
- Mwanga, R.O.M., M. Ghislain, J. Kreuze, G.N. Ssemakula, and G.C. Yencho. 2011. Exploiting the use of biotechnology in sweetpotato for improved nutrition and food security: progress and future outlook. Proceedings of the International Conference on Agro-Biotechnology, Biosafety and Seed Systems in Developing Countries. Published by: The Science Foundation for Livelihoods and Development. Kampala, Uganda (www.scifode-foundation.org). (In press)
- Mwanga, R.O.M., C. Niringiye, A. Alajo, B. Kigozi, J. Namukula, I. Mpembe, S. Tumwegamire, R.W. Gibson, and G.C. Yencho. 2011. NASPOT 11, a sweetpotato cultivar bred by a participatory plant-breeding approach in Uganda. HortScience 46:317-321.
- Yencho, G.C. and K.V. Pecota. 2011. Progress Reports to the NC Sweetpotato Commission Sweetpotato Breeding and Variety Development and Grower Participatory Breeding Support. In: NC Sweetpotato Research and Extension Reports 2010. Submitted to: NC SweetPotato Commission, Inc., Jan. 2011.
- Yencho, G.C. and K.V. Pecota. 2011. Report on the 2010 National Sweetpotato Collaborators Trial. pp. 40-44. In: Pecota, K. (ed.). NSPCG Progress Report, 2011. 73 pp.
- Truong, V.D., R.Y. Avula, K.V. Pecota, and G.C. Yencho. 2011. Sweetpotatoes, pp. 717-737. In Y.H. Hui, N. Sinha, J. Ahmed, E.O. Eyranuz and M. Siddig (eds.). Handbook of Vegetables and Vegetable Processing, Wiley-Blackwell, Ames, Iowa. 772pp.
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Progress 10/01/09 to 09/30/10
Outputs
OUTPUTS: The objectives of the sweetpotato breeding program are to develop sweetpotato varieties adapted to the growing conditions of North Carolina and the southeastern US; 2) broaden the germplasm base of cultivated sweetpotato through the incorporation of land races and related species; 3) provide advanced training for national and international students and scientists interested in sweetpotato improvement; and 4) develop and incorporate new breeding techniques and tools for the improvement of sweetpotato. Highlights of our 2010 applied breeding activities are as follows: 1) we planted 38,000 true seed at two research station, and three on-farm sites and made 723 tablestock and industrial sweetpotato selections; 2) we planted 1,403 second-year and 150 third-year selections as 25-hill and 100-hill plots at two research station sites from which 269 and38 selections were made, respectively; 3) we planted over 11 replicated trials at five sites to evaluate the performance of our preliminary and advanced clones; 4) we conducted the 13th year of our Grower Participatory Breeding Project where seedlings and advanced clones are evaluated on-farm with the assistance of growers, Extension Agents and Research Specialists; and 5) we screened over 200 advanced or preliminary sweetpotato clones for resistance to Streptomyces soil rot (field and greenhouse evaluations), root knot nematode (gh) and Fusarium (gh). PARTICIPANTS: Dr. G. Craig Yencho, PI Professor and Program Leader, Sweetpotato and Potato Breeding and Genetics Projects, NC State University Mr. Kenneth V. Pecota, (co-PI) Researcher, Sweetpotato Breeding and Genetics Program, NC State University Collaborators Dr. Nicholas George, Postdoctoral Associate, Sweetpotato Biofuels Project Coordinator, Sweetpotato Breeding and Genetics Program, NC State University Dr. Bryon Sosinski, Associate Professor, Horticultural Genomics, NC State University Dr. Zvezdana Pesic-VanEsbroeck, Department of Plant Pathology and Director, NC State University Micropropagation Unit Dr. Jonathan Schultheis, Professor, Department of Horticultural Science, NC State University Dr. Van-Den Truong, Research Scientist, USDA-ARS Food Science Research Unit at NC State University Dr. Michael Jackson, Research Entomologist, USDA-ARS Vegetable Research Laboratory, Charleston, SC Dr. Mari Chinn, Assistant Professor, Microbial Fermentation/Process Engineering, Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering, NC State University. Dr. Matthew Veal, Associate Professor, Biofuels Extension, Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering, NC State University. Our research is supported by the following foundations The McKnight Foundation The GoldenLEAF Foundation The Biofuels Center or NC Our research is supported by the following industry groups: The NC SweetPotato Commission The NC Certified Sweet Potato Seed Growers, Inc. ConAgra-Lamb Weston McCain Foods Proven Winners Royalty revenues Training or Professional Development In addition to training MS and PhD level graduate students, this project typically hires 3-5 undergraduate summer helpers to assist with project activities during project year. This work provide significant real-world plant breeding experiences for the undergraduate and graduate students employed by the project. TARGET AUDIENCES: Our target audiences are very broad ranging from growers and industry personnel seeking highly applied information on new varieties and timely crop production information to multidisciplinary scientists interested in sweetpotato genomics and the production of bio-based, value-added products from sweetpotato. We adjust our communication strategies appropriately to meet the needs of each target audience and we regularly attend extension based and scientific meetings to disseminate timely information nationally and internationally. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Not relevant to this project.
Impacts
The variety development work (conventional-, specialty-, industrial- and ornamental-type) conducted by the program has benefited the NC and US sweetpotato industry through the development of improved varieties. These improved varieties typically possess exceptional yield, appearance and quality characteristics. They will also have high levels of resistance to diseases, and thus contribute to the development of a more sustainable and economically viable sweetpotato production system. In 2010 our orange-fleshed variety, Covington, which was released in 2005, was planted extensively in NC with over 42,000 acres planted in NC alone. Acreage of Covington is also increasing across the US in most major sweetpotato production regions. The Sweet Caroline series of ornamental sweetpotatoes released by our program also continues to gain ground in most ornamental marketplaces. In 2009-2010, we released two new plant patent pending lines marketed as Illusion Emerald Lace and Illusion Midnight Lace to Proven Winners, LLC the new exclusive marketing agents of all our ornamental sweetpotatoes. Lastly, the development of our genetic map of sweetpotato represents a significant milestone as it is the first complete genetic map of sweetpotato to be produced with multiple QTL to be placed the map. We expect that this valuable genetic resource will be used by other sweetpotato researchers world-wide and we have initiated a project with the McKnight Foundation Collaborative Crops Research Project and the USDA-ARS to place additIonal SSR and SNP markers in this map.
Publications
- Bowen, B.D. 2010. Genetic and Cultural Management Studies of the Production of Industrial Sweetpotatoes from "Cut Root Pieces". Dept. of Horticultural Science. (Chair, Dr. G. C. Yencho).
- Bridgers, E.N. 2009. Design of processing conditions for conversion of sugar and starch based crops to value added products. Dept. of Biological and Agricultural Engineering, NC State University. (Masters Thesis - Chair. Dr. M.S. Chinn, Committee Members: G.C. Yencho, V.D. Truong and M. Veal).
- Cervantes-Flores, J.C., B. Sosinski, K.V. Pecota, R.O.M. Mwanga, G.L. Catignani, V.D. Truong, R.H. Watkins, M.R. Ulmer, and G.C. Yencho. 2010. Identification of quantitative trait loci for dry-matter, starch, and b-carotene content in sweetpotato. Mol Breeding. DOI 10.1007/s11032-010-9474-5.
- Yencho, G.C. and K.V. Pecota. 2010. Report on the 2009 National Sweetpotato Collaborators Trial. In: Pecota, K.V. (ed) National Sweetpotato Collaborators Group Progress Report, 2009.
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Progress 10/01/08 to 09/30/09
Outputs
OUTPUTS: The objectives of the sweetpotato breeding program are to develop sweetpotato varieties adapted to the growing conditions of North Carolina and the southeastern US; 2) broaden the germplasm base of cultivated sweetpotato through the incorporation of land races and related species; 3) provide advanced training for national and international students and scientists interested in sweetpotato improvement; and 4) develop and incorporate new breeding techniques and tools for the improvement of sweetpotato. Highlights of our 2009 applied breeding activities are as follows: 1) we planted 41,600 true seed at two research station, and three on-farm sites and made 1,403 tablestock and industrial sweetpotato selections; 2) we planted 903 second-year and 216 third-year selections as 25-hill and 100-hill plots at two research station sites from which 150 and 55 selections were made, respectively; 3) we planted over 11 replicated trials at five sites to evaluate the performance of our preliminary and advanced clones; 4) we conducted the 12th year of our Grower Participatory Breeding Project where seedlings and advanced clones are evaluated on-farm with the assistance of growers, Extension Agents and Research Specialists; and 5) we screened over 200 advanced or preliminary sweetpotato clones for resistance to Streptomyces soil rot (field and greenhouse evaluations), root knot nematode (gh) and Fusarium (gh). PARTICIPANTS: Project Participants Dr. G. Craig Yencho, PI Professor and Program Leader, Sweetpotato and Potato Breeding and Genetics Projects, NC State University Mr. Kenneth V. Pecota, (co-PI) Researcher, Sweetpotato Breeding and Genetics Program, NC State University Collaborators Dr. Nicholas George, Postdoctoral Associate, Sweetpotato Biofuels Project Coordinator, Sweetpotato Breeding and Genetics Program, NC State University Dr. Bryon Sosinski, Associate Professor, Horticultural Genomics, NC State University Dr. Zvezdana Pesic-VanEsbroeck, Department of Plant Pathology and Director, NC State University Micropropagation Unit Dr. Jonathan Schultheis, Professor, Department of Horticultural Science, NC State University Dr. Van-Den Truong, Research Scientist, USDA-ARS Food Science Research Unit at NC State University Dr. Michael Jackson, Research Entomologist, USDA-ARS Vegetable Research Laboratory, Charleston, SC Dr. Mari Chinn, Assistant Professor, Microbial Fermentation/Process Engineering, Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering, NC State University. Dr. Matthew Veal, Associate Professor, Biofuels Extension, Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering, NC State University. In addition to training MS and PhD level graduate students, this project typically hires 3-5 undergraduate summer helpers to assist with project activities during project year. This work provide significant real-world plant breeding experiences for our student helpers. TARGET AUDIENCES: Our target audiences are very broad ranging from growers and industry personnel seeking highly applied information on new varieties and timely crop production information to multidisciplinary scientists interested in sweetpotato genomics and the production of bio-based, value-added products from sweetpotato. We adjust our communication strategies appropriately to meet the needs of each target audience and we regularly attend extension based and scientific meetings to disseminate timely information nationally and internationally. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
The variety development work (conventional-, specialty-, industrial- and ornamental-type) conducted by the program has benefited the NC and US sweetpotato industry through the development of improved varieties. These improved varieties typically possess exceptional yield, appearance and quality characteristics. They will also have high levels of resistance to diseases, and thus contribute to the development of a more sustainable and economically viable sweetpotato production system. In 2009 our orange-fleshed variety, Covington, which was released in 2005, was planted extensively in NC with over 35,000 acres planted in NC alone. Acreage of Covington is also increasing across the US in most major sweetpotato production regions. The Sweet Caroline series of ornamental sweetpotatoes released by our program also continues to gain ground in most ornamental marketplaces. In Sept. 2009, we released two new plant patent pending lines marketed as Illusion Emerald Lace and Illusion Midnight Lace to Proven Winners, LLC the new exclusive marketing agents of all our ornamental sweetpotatoes. Lastly, the development of our genetic map of sweetpotato represents a significant milestone as it is the first complete genetic map of sweetpotato to be produced with multiple QTL to be placed the map. We expect that this valuable genetic resource will be used by other sweetpotato researchers world-wide and we have initiated a project with the the McKnight Foundation Collaborative Crops Research Project and the USDA-ARS to place additonal SSR and SNP markers in this map.
Publications
- Yencho, G.C. and Pecota, K.V. 2009. Report on the 2008 National Sweetpotato Collaborators Trial. In: Pecota, K.V. (ed) National Sweetpotato Collaborators Group Progress Report, 2008.
- Bridgers, E.N. 2009. Design of processing conditions for conversion of sugar and starch based crops to value added products. Dept. of Biological and Agricultural Engineering, NC State University. (Masters Thesis - Chair. Dr. Mari S. Chinn, Committee Members: G.C. Yencho, V.D. Truong and M. Veal).
- Mwanga, R.O.M., Odongo, B., Niringiye, C., Alajo, A., Kigozi, B., Makumbi, R., Lugwana, E., Namakula, J., Mpembe, I., Kapinga, R., Lemaga, B., Nsumba, J., Tumwegamire, S., and Yencho, C. 2009. Release of sweetpotato NASPOT 7, NASPOT 8, NASPOT 9 O, NASPOT 10 O, and Dimbuka-Bukulula in Uganda. HortScience 44: 828-832.
- Santa-Maria, M.C., Chung-Jung, C., Yencho, G.C., Haigler, C.H., Thompson, W.F., Kelly, R.M., and Sosinski, B.R. 2009. Plant cell calcium-rich environment enhances thermostability of recombinantly produced a-amylase from the hyperthermophilic bacterium Thermotoga maritima. Biotechnology and Bioengineering. 104(5): 947-956.
- Santa-Maria, M., Pecota, K.V., Yencho, G.C., Allen, G., and Sosinski, B. 2009. Rapid shoot regeneration in industrial high starch sweetpotato (Ipomoea batatas L.) genotypes. Plant, Cell, Tissue and Organ Culture. 97(1): 109-117.
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Progress 10/01/07 to 09/30/08
Outputs
OUTPUTS: The objectives of the sweetpotato breeding program are to: 1) develop tablestock, specialty-type, industrial-type, and ornamental sweetpotato varieties adapted to the growing conditions of North Carolina and the southeastern US; 2) broaden the germplasm base of cultivated sweetpotato through the incorporation of land races and related species; 3) provide advanced training for national and international students and scientists interested in sweetpotato improvement; and 4) develop and incorporate new breeding techniques and tools for the improvement of sweetpotato. Highlights of our 2008 applied breeding activities are as follows: 1) we planted over 70,000 true seed at two research station, and three on-farm sites and made 903 tablestock and 15 industrial sweetpotato selections, each of which has the potential to be a new variety; 2) we planted over 20 trials to evaluate the performance of our preliminary and advanced clones; 3) we conducted the 11th year of our Grower Participatory Breeding Project where seedlings and advanced clones are evaluated on-farm with the assistance of growers, Extension Agents and Research Specialists; and 4) we screened over 120 advanced or preliminary sweetpotato clones for resistance to Streptomyces soil rot (field and greenhouse evaluations), root knot nematode (gh) and Fusarium (gh). During Fall 2008 we released the clones NC99-573 as the variety Hatteras. It is patent pending. PARTICIPANTS: Project Participants Dr. G. Craig Yencho, PI Associate Professor and Leader Sweetpotato and Potato Breeding and Genetics Projects, NC State University Mr. Kenneth V. Pecota, (co-PI) Researcher, Sweetpotato Breeding and Genetics Project, NC State University Collaborators Dr. Bryon Sosinski, Associate Professor, Horticultural Genomics, NC State University Dr. Zvezdana Pesic-VanEsbroeck, Department of Plant Pathology and Director, NC State University Micropropagation Unit Dr. Jonathan Schultheis, Professor, Department of Horticultural Science, NC State University Dr. Gerald Holmes, Associate Professor, Department of Plant Pathology, NC State University Dr. Van-Den Truong, Research Scientist, USDA-ARS Food Science Research Unit at NC State University Dr. Michael Jackson, Research Entomologist, USDA-ARS Vegetable Research Laboratory, Charleston, SC Dr. Mari Chinn, Assistant Professor, Microbial Fermentation/Process Engineering, Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering, NC State University. TARGET AUDIENCES: Our target audiences are very broad ranging from growers and industry personnel seeking highly applied information on new varieties and timely crop production information to multidisciplinary scientists interested in sweetpotato genomics and the production of bio-based, value-added products from sweetpotato. We adjust our communication strategies appropriately to meet the needs of each target audience and we regularly attend extension based and scientific meetings to disseminate timely information nationally and internationally. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
The variety development work (conventional-, specialty-, industrial- and ornamental-type) conducted by the program has benefited the NC and US sweetpotato industry through the development of improved varieties. Improved varieties typically possess exceptional yield, appearance and quality characteristics. They will also have high levels of resistance to diseases, and they will contribute to the development of a more sustainable and economically viable sweetpotato production system. Our latest release, the orange-fleshed variety, Covington, was planted extensively in NC during 2008 with over 25,000 acres planted. A Plant Patent was granted for this variety in the spring of 2008 (US PP18,516). The Sweet Caroline series of ornamental sweetpotatoes released by our program also continue to gain ground. Lastly, the development of our genetic map represents a significant milestone as it is the first complete genetic map of sweetpotato to be produced with multiple QTL to be placed the map. We expect that this valuable genetic resource will be used by other sweetpotato researchers world-wide.
Publications
- Duvernay, W.H. 2008. Conversion of industrial sweetpotatoes for the production of ethanol. Dept. of Biological and Agricultural Engineering. NC State University. 259 pp. (Masters Thesis - Chair. Dr. Mari S. Chinn, Committee Members: G.C. Yencho and R. Sharma-Shivappa)
- Cervantes-Flores, J.C., Yencho, G.C., Pecota, K.V., Mwanga R.O.M., and Sosinski, B. 2008. Detection of QTL and inheritance of root-knot nematode resistance in sweetpotato. J. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci. 133: 844-851.
- Yencho, G.C., Pecota, K.V., Schultheis, J.R., Pesic-VanEsbroeck, Z., Holmes, G., Little, B.E., Thornton, A.C., and Truong, V.D. 2008. Covington sweetpotato. HortScience 43: 1911-1914.
- Cervantes-Flores J.C., Yencho, G.C., Kriegner, A., Pecota, K.V., Faulk, M.A., Mwanga, R.O.M., and Sosinski, B. 2008. Development of a genetic linkage map and identification of homologous linkage groups in sweetpotato using multiple-dose AFLP markers. Mol. Breeding. 21: 511-532.
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Progress 10/01/06 to 09/30/07
Outputs
OUTPUTS: The objectives of the sweetpotato breeding program are to: 1) develop tablestock, specialty-type, industrial-type, and ornamental sweetpotato varieties adapted to the growing conditions of North Carolina and the southeastern US; 2) broaden the germplasm base of cultivated sweetpotato through the incorporation of land races and related species; 3) provide advanced training for national and international students and scientists interested in sweetpotato improvement; and 4) develop and incorporate new breeding techniques and tools for the improvement of sweetpotato. Highlights of our 2007 applied breeding activities are as follows: 1) we planted over 50,000 true seed at two research station, and three on-farm sites and made 987 selections, each of which has the potential to be a new variety; 2) we planted over 20 trials to evaluate the performance of our preliminary and advanced clones; 3) we conducted the 10th year of our Grower Participatory Breeding Project where seedlings
and advanced clones are evaluated on-farm with the assistance of growers, Extension Agents and Research Specialists; and 4) we screened over 120 advanced or preliminary sweetpotato clones for resistance to Streptomyces soil rot (field and greenhouse evaluations), root knot nematode (gh) and Fusarium (gh). We also continued our sweetpotato genomics efforts with Dr. Bryon Sosinski, Assoc. Professor, Horticultural Science. Sweetpotato genomic research is minimal compared to most other major crops despite its worldwide importance as a food crop. The development of a genetic linkage map in sweetpotato will provide valuable information to breeders who seek to accelerate the introgression of desired traits into breeding lines. We developed a mapping population consisting of 240 individuals of a cross between Tanzania, a cream-fleshed African landrace, and Beauregard, an orange-fleshed US sweetpotato cultivar. The genetic linkage map of this population was constructed using AFLP markers. A
total of 1944 (Tanzania) and 1751 (Beauregard) AFLP markers, of which 1511 and 1303 were single-dose markers respectively, were scored. Framework maps consisting of 86 and 90 linkage groups for Tanzania and Beauregard respectively, were developed using a combination of JoinMap 3.0 and MAPMAKER/EXP 3.0. A total of 947 single-dose markers were placed in the final framework linkage map for Tanzania. The linkage map size was estimated as 5792 cM, with an average distance between markers of 4.5 cM. Duplex and triple-dose markers were used to identify the corresponding homologous groups in the maps. Quantitative trait loci (QTL) for resistance to root knot nematode, dry matter starch and beta-carotene content and storage root yield were placed on this map as part of this research project. Manuscripts describing this research have been accepted or are in preparation.
PARTICIPANTS: Project Participants Dr. G. Craig Yencho, PI Associate Professor and Leader Sweetpotato and Potato Breeding and Genetics Projects, NC State University Mr. Kenneth V. Pecota, (co-PI) Researcher, Sweetpotato Breeding and Genetics Project, NC State University Collaborators Dr. Bryon Sosinski, Associate Professor, Horticultural Genomics, NC State University Dr. Zvezdana Pesic-VanEsbroeck, Department of Plant Pathology and Director, NC State University Micropropagation Unit Dr. Jonathan Schultheis, Professor, Department of Horticultural Science, NC State University Dr. Gerald Holmes, Associate Professor, Department of Plant Pathology, NC State University Dr. Van-Den Truong, Research Scientist, USDA-ARS Food Science Research Unit at NC State University Dr. Michael Jackson, Research Entomologist, USDA-ARS Vegetable Research Laboratory, Charleston, SC Training or Professional Development In addition to training MS and PhD level graduate students, this project typically hires
3-5 undergraduate summer helpers to assist with project activities during project year. This work provide significant real-world plant breeding experiences for our student helpers.
TARGET AUDIENCES: Our target audiences are very broad ranging from growers and industry personnel seeking highly applied information on new varieties and timely crop production information to multidisciplinary scientists interested in sweetpotato genomics and the production of bio-based, value-added products from sweetpotato. We adjust our communication strategies appropriately to meet the needs of each target audience and we regularly attend extension based and scientific meetings to disseminate timely information nationally and internationally.
Impacts
The variety development work (conventional-, specialty-, industrial- and ornamental-type) conducted by the program will benefit the NC and US sweetpotato industry through the development of improved varieties. Improved varieties will possess exceptional yield, appearance and quality characteristics. They will also have high levels of resistance to diseases and insects, and they will contribute to the development of a more sustainable and economically viable sweetpotato production system. Our latest release, the orange-fleshed variety, Covington, was planted extensively in NC during 2007 with over 25,000 acres planted. A Plant Patent is pending for this variety. The Sweet Caroline series of ornamental sweetpotatoes released by our program also continue to gain ground with over 3.2 million units sold during fiscal year 2006-2007. Lastly, the development of our genetic map represents a significant milestone as it is the first complete genetic map of sweetpotato to be
produced with multiple QTL to be placed the map. We expect that this valuable genetic resource will be used by other sweetpotato researchers world-wide.
Publications
- Cervantes-Flores, J.C., Yencho, G.C., Kriegner, A., Pecota, K.V., Faulk, M.A., Mwanga, R.O.M. and Sosinski, B. 2007. Development of a genetic linkage map and identification of homologous linkage groups in sweetpotato using multiple-dose AFLP markers. Mol. Breeding. (in press).
- Teow, C.C., Truong, V.D., McFeeters, R.F., Thompson, R.L., Pecota, K.V., and Yencho, G.C. 2007. Antioxidant activities, phenolic and b-carotene contents of sweet potato genotypes with varying flesh colours. Food Chemistry. 103:829-838.
- Villavicencio, L.E., Blankenship, S.M., Yencho, G.C., Thomas, J.F., and Raper, C.D. 2007. Temperature effect of skin adhesion, cell wall enzyme activity, lignin content, anthocyanins, growth parameters, and periderm histochemistry of sweetpotato. J. Am. Soc. Hort. Sci. 132: 729-738.
- Yencho, G.C. and Pecota, K.V. 2007. Report on the 2006 National Sweetpotato Collaborators Trial. In: Pecota, K.V. (ed) National Sweetpotato Collaborators Group Progress Report, 2007.
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Progress 10/01/05 to 09/30/06
Outputs
The objectives of the sweetpotato breeding program are to: 1) develop tablestock, specialty-type, industrial-type, and ornamental sweetpotato varieties adapted to the growing conditions of North Carolina and the southeastern US; 2) broaden the germplasm base of cultivated sweetpotato through the incorporation of land races and related species; 3) provide advanced training for national and international students and scientists interested in sweetpotato improvement; and 4) develop and incorporate new breeding techniques and tools for the improvement of sweetpotato. Highlights of our 2006 applied breeding activities are as follows: 1) we planted over 50,000 true seed at two research station, and three on-farm sites and made 662 tablestock, 123 industrial-type, and 62 purple-fleshed selections, each of which has the potential to be a new variety; 2) we planted over 20 trials to evaluate the performance of our preliminary and advanced clones; 3) we conducted the 8th year
of our Grower Participatory Breeding Project where seedlings and advanced clones are evaluated on-farm with the assistance of growers, Extension Agents and Research Specialists; and 4) we screened over 120 advanced or preliminary sweetpotato clones for resistance to Streptomyces soil rot (field and greenhouse evaluations), root knot nematode (gh) and Fusarium (gh). We also continued our sweetpotato genomics efforts with Dr. Bryon Sosinski, Assoc. Professor, Horticultural Science and Director, NCSU CALS Genome Research Laboratory. Mr. Jim Carlos Cervantes, completed and defended his dissertation entitled, Development of a Genetic Linkage Map and QTL analysis in Sweetpotato under the direction of Drs. Yencho and Sosinski. Sweetpotato genomic research is minimal compared to most other major crops despite its worldwide importance as a food crop. The development of a genetic linkage map in sweetpotato will provide valuable information to breeders who seek to accelerate the introgression of
desired traits into breeding lines. We have developed a mapping population consisting of 240 individuals of a cross between Tanzania, a cream-fleshed African landrace, and Beauregard, an orange-fleshed US sweetpotato cultivar. The genetic linkage map of this population was constructed using AFLP markers. A total of 1944 (Tanzania) and 1751 (Beauregard) AFLP markers, of which 1511 and 1303 were single-dose markers respectively, were scored. Framework maps consisting of 86 and 90 linkage groups for Tanzania and Beauregard respectively, were developed using a combination of JoinMap 3.0 and MAPMAKER/EXP 3.0. A total of 947 single-dose markers were placed in the final framework linkage map for Tanzania. The linkage map size was estimated as 5792 cM, with an average distance between markers of 4.5 cM. Duplex and triple-dose markers were used to identify the corresponding homologous groups in the maps. Quantitative trait loci (QTL) for resistance to root knot nematode, dry matter starch and
beta-carotene content and storage root yield were placed on this map as part of this research project. Manuscripts describing this research are in preparation.
Impacts
The variety development work (conventional-, specialty-, industrial- and ornamental-type) conducted by the program will benefit the NC and US sweetpotato industry through the development of improved varieties. Improved varieties will possess exceptional yield, appearance and quality characteristics. They will also have high levels of resistance to diseases and insects, and they will contribute to the development of a more sustainable and economically viable sweetpotato production system. Our latest release, the orange-fleshed variety, Covington, was planted extensively in NC during 2006 with over 18,000 acres planted. A Plant Patent is pending for this variety. The Sweet Caroline series of ornamental sweetpotatoes released by our program also continue to gain ground with over 2.9 million units sold during fiscal year 2005-2006. Lastly, the development of our genetic map represents a significant milestone as it is the first complete genetic map of sweetpotato to be
produced with multiple QTL to be placed the map. We expect that this valuable genetic resource will be used by other sweetpotato researchers world-wide.
Publications
- Pecota, K., C. Yencho and C. Pierce. 2005. Grant of Community Plant Variety Rights for the variety Sweet Caroline Bronze of the species Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam. European Union Community Plant Variety Rights, Decision No. 15710, July 18, 2005.
- Pecota, K., C. Yencho and C. Pierce. 2005. Grant of Community Plant Variety Rights for the variety Sweet Caroline Purple of the species Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam. European Union Community Plant Variety Rights, Decision No. 15711, July 18, 2005.
- Pecota, K., C. Yencho and C. Pierce. 2006. Ornamental sweetpotato plant named Sweet Caroline Light Green. Japanese Plant Variety Protection Certificate No. 13744, Feb. 27, 2006.
- Pecota, K., C. Yencho and C. Pierce. 2006. Ornamental sweetpotato plant named Sweet Caroline Bronze. Japanese Plant Variety Protection Certificate No. 13745, Feb. 27, 2006.
- Pecota, K., C. Yencho and C. Pierce. 2006. Ornamental sweetpotato plant named Sweet Caroline Purple. Japanese Plant Variety Protection Certificate No. 13746, Feb. 27, 2006.
- Pecota, K., C. Yencho and C. Pierce. 2005. Grant of Community Plant Variety Rights for the variety Sweet Caroline Light Green of the species Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam. European Union Community Plant Variety Rights, Decision No. 15709, July 18, 2005.
- Pecota, K., C. Yencho and C. Pierce. 2005. Grant of Community Plant Variety Rights for the variety Sweet Caroline Bronze of the species Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam. European Union Community Plant Variety Rights, Decision No. 15710, July 18, 2005.
- Cervantes, J.C. 2006. Development of a Genetic Linkage Map and QTL analysis in Sweetpotato. Ph.D Dissertation. NC State University, Raleigh, NC 184 pp. (under the direction of Drs. G. C. Yencho and B. R. Sosinski.)
- Villavicencio, L.E., S,M. Blankenship and G.C. Yencho. 2004. Skin adhesion and its lack of relationship to polygalacturonase and pectinmethylesterase. Postharvest Biology and Technology. 32:183-192.
- Yencho, G.C. and K.V. Pecota, 2006. Report on the 2005 National Sweetpotato Collaborators Trial. In: Pecota, K.V. (ed) National Sweetpotato Collaborators Group Progress Report, 2006.
- Pecota, K., C. Yencho and C. Pierce. 2005. Grant of Community Plant Variety Rights for the variety Sweet Caroline Light Green of the species Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam. European Union Community Plant Variety Rights, Decision No. 15709, July 18, 2005.
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Progress 10/01/04 to 09/30/05
Outputs
The objectives of the sweetpotato breeding program are to: 1) develop sweetpotato varieties adapted to the growing conditions of North Carolina and the southeastern US; 2) broaden the germplasm base of cultivated sweetpotato through the incorporation of land races and related species; 3) provide advanced training for national and international students and scientists interested in sweetpotato improvement; and 4) develop and incorporate new breeding techniques and tools for the improvement of sweetpotato. Highlights of our 2005 breeding activities are as follows: 1) we planted over 50,000 true seed at two research station, and three on-farm sites and made 637 table-stock, 200 industrial-type, and 104 purple-fleshed selections, each of which has the potential to be a new variety; 2) we planted over 25 trials to evaluate the performance of our preliminary and advanced clones; 3) we evaluated our most promising clones (including Covington (NC98-608), released during 2005)
in research station and on-farm trials; 4) we conducted the Grower Participatory Breeding Project in which first year seedlings and advanced clones are evaluated on-farm with the assistance of growers, Extension Agents and Specialists; 5) we screened over 120 clones for resistance to Streptomyces soil rot (field and greenhouse evaluations), root knot nematode (gh) and Fusarium (gh); 6) we continued evaluating material with high dry matter content that will be suitable for industrial purposes including ethanol production and other bio-based products to prepare the NC sweetpotato industry for future opportunities; 6) we continued our sweetpotato genomics efforts in collaboration with Dr. Bryon Sosinski, Research Asst. Professor, Horticultural Science and Director, NCSU CALS Genome Research Laboratory; and 7) we collaborated with the NCSU Micropropagation Unit (MPU) variety evaluation efforts by evaluating trials at two sites.
Impacts
The variety development work (conventional-, specialty-, industrial- and ornamental-type) conducted by the program will benefit the NC and US sweetpotato industry through the development of improved varieties. Improved varieties will possess exceptional yield, appearance and quality characteristics. They will also have high levels of resistance to diseases and insects, and they will contribute to the development of a more sustainable and economically viable sweetpotato production system. Our latest release, the orange-fleshed variety Covington, has been trialed extensively in NC and we expect over 15,000 acres to be produced during 2006. A Plant Patent has been applied for this variety.
Publications
- Pecota, K.V., Yencho, G.C. and Pierce, C. 2004. Ornamental sweetpotato plant named 'Sweet Caroline Green'. United States Plant Patent, Patent No. US PP15,056 P2, Aug. 3, 2004.
- Pecota, K.V., Yencho, G.C and Pierce, C. 2004. Ornamental sweetpotato plant named 'Sweet Caroline Bronze'. United States Plant Patent, Patent No. US PP15,473 P3, Dec. 21, 2004.
- Yencho, G.C. and Pecota, K.V. 2005. Report on the 2004 National Sweetpotato Collaborators Trial. In: Pecota, K.V. (ed) National Sweetpotato Collaborators Group Progress Report, 2004.
- Pecota, K.V., Yencho, G.C. and Pierce, C. 2004. Ornamental sweetpotato plant named 'Sweet Caroline Purple'. United States Plant Patent, Patent No. US PP14,912 P3, June 15, 2004.
- Pecota, K.V., Yencho, G.C. and Pierce, C. 2004. Ornamental sweetpotato plant named 'Sweet Caroline Light Green'. United States Plant Patent, Patent No. US PP15,028 P2, July 20, 2004.
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Progress 10/01/03 to 09/30/04
Outputs
The objectives of the sweetpotato breeding program are to: 1) develop sweetpotato varieties adapted to the growing conditions of North Carolina and the southeastern US; 2) broaden the germplasm base of cultivated sweetpotato through the incorporation of land races and related species; 3) provide advanced training for national and international students and scientists interested in sweetpotato improvement; and 4) develop and incorporate new breeding techniques and tools for the improvement of sweetpotato. Highlights of our 2004 breeding activities are as follows: 1) we planted over 50,000 true seed at two research station sites and made 579 table-stock, 263 industrial-type, and 154 purple-fleshed selections, each of which has the potential to be a new variety; 2) we planted over 20 trials to evaluate the performance of our preliminary and advanced clones; 3) we evaluated our most promising clones (including NC98-608, our most promising line) in research station and
on-farm trials; 4) we conducted the Grower Participatory Breeding Project in which first year seedlings and advanced clones are evaluated on-farm with the assistance of growers, Extension Agents and Specialists; 5) we screened over 100 clones for resistance to Streptomyces soil rot (field and greenhouse evaluations), root knot nematode (gh) and Fusarium (gh); 6) we continued evaluating material with high dry matter content that will be suitable for industrial purposes including ethanol production and other bio-based products to prepare the NC sweetpotato industry for future opportunities; 6) we continued a collaborative project with Dr. Robert Jarret, USDA-ARS to characterize the US sweetpotato germplasm collection with AFLP markers to establish a core collection of sweetpotato clones; 7) we continued our sweetpotato genomics efforts in collaboration with Dr. Bryon Sosinski, Research Asst. Professor, Horticultural Science and Director, NCSU CALS Genome Research Laboratory; and 8) we
collaborated with the NCSU Micropropagation Unit (MPU) variety evaluation efforts by evaluating trials at three sites (CRS, Columbus Co. and Nash Co.).
Impacts
The variety development work (conventional-, specialty-, industrial- and ornamental-type) conducted by the program will benefit the NC and US sweetpotato industry through the development of improved varieties. Improved varieties will possess exceptional yield, appearance and quality characteristics. They will also have high levels of resistance to diseases and insects, and they will contribute to the development of a more sustainable and economically viable sweetpotato production system.
Publications
- Bruckner, A.W. 2004. AFLP-based Genetic Diversity Assessment of Global Sweetpotato (Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam.) Germplasm Resources: Progress Toward The Development of a Sweetpotato Core Collection, 220 pp. (MS Thesis under the direction of Drs. Craig Yencho and Bryon Sosinski).
- Yencho, G.C. and Pecota, K.V. 2004. Report on the 2003 National Sweetpotato Collaborators Trial. In: McLaurin, W.J. (ed) National Sweetpotato Collaborators Group Progress Report, 2004.
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Progress 10/01/02 to 09/30/03
Outputs
The objectives of the sweetpotato breeding program are to: 1) develop sweetpotato varieties adapted to the growing conditions of North Carolina and the southeastern US; 2) broaden the germplasm base of cultivated sweetpotato through the incorporation of land races and related species; 3) provide advanced training for national and international students and scientists interested in sweetpotato improvement; and 4) develop and incorporate new breeding techniques and tools for the improvement of sweetpotato. Highlights of our 2003 breeding activities are as follows: 1) we planted over 40,000 true seed at two research station sites and made over 650 selections, each of which has the potential to be a new variety; 2) we planted over 20 trials to evaluate the performance of our preliminary and advanced clones; 3) we evaluated our most promising clones (including NC98-608, our most promising line) in research station and on-farm trials; 4) we conducted the Grower
Participatory Breeding Project in which first year seedlings and advanced clones are evaluated on-farm with the assistance of growers, Extension Agents and Specialists; 5) we screened over 100 clones for resistance to Streptomyces soil rot (field and greenhouse evaluations), root knot nematode (gh) and Fusarium (gh); 6) we continued evaluating material with high dry matter content that will be suitable for industrial purposes including ethanol production and other bio-based products to prepare the NC sweetpotato industry for future opportunities; 6) we continued a collaborative project with Dr. Robert Jarret, USDA-ARS to characterize the US sweetpotato germplasm collection with AFLP markers to establish a core collection of sweetpotato clones; 7) we continued our sweetpotato genomics efforts in collaboration with Dr. Bryon Sosinski, Research Asst. Professor, Horticultural Science and Director, NCSU CALS Genome Research Laboratory; and 8) we collaborated with the NCSU Micropropagation
Unit (MPU) variety evaluation efforts by evaluating trials at three sites (CRS, Columbus Co. and Nash Co.).
Impacts
The variety development work (conventional-, specialty-, industrial- and ornamental-type) conducted by the program will benefit the NC and US sweetpotato industry through the development of improved varieties. Improved varieties will possess exceptional yield, appearance and quality characteristics. They will also have high levels of resistance to diseases and insects, and they will contribute to the development of a more sustainable and economically viable sweetpotato production system.
Publications
- Bryan, A.D., Pesic-VanEsbroeck, Z., Schultheis, J.R., Pecota, K.V., Swallow, W.H., and Yencho, G.C. 2003. Cultivar decline in sweetpotato: I. impact of micropropagation on yield, storage root quality and virus incidence in Beauregard. J. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci. 128:846-855.
- Bryan, A.D., Schultheis, J.R., Pesic-VanEsbroeck, Z., and Yencho, G.C. 2003. Cultivar Decline in Sweetpotato: II. Impact of virus infection on yield and storage root quality in Beauregard and Hernandez. J. Am. Soc. Hort. Sci. 128:856-863.
- Yencho, G.C. and Pecota, K.V. 2003. Report on the 2002 National Sweetpotato Collaborators Trial. In: McLaurin, W.J. (ed) National Sweetpotato Collaborators Group Progress Report, 2003.
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Progress 10/01/01 to 09/30/02
Outputs
The objectives of the sweetpotato breeding program are to: 1) develop sweetpotato varieties adapted to the growing conditions of North Carolina and the southeastern US; 2) broaden the germplasm base of cultivated sweetpotato through the incorporation of land races and related species; 3) provide advanced training for national and international students and scientists interested in sweetpotato improvement; and 4) develop and incorporate new breeding techniques and tools for the improvement of sweetpotato. Highlights of our 2002 breeding activities are as follows: 1) we planted over 35,000 true seed at two research station sites and made over 600 selections, each of which has the potential to be a new variety; 2) we planted over 20 trials to evaluate the performance of our preliminary and advanced clones; 3) we evaluated our most promising clones (including NC96-61, and NC98-608) in research station and on-farm trials; 4) we completed the sixth year of the Grower
Participatory Breeding Project in which first year seedlings and advanced clones are evaluated on-farm with the assistance of growers, Extension Agents and Specialists; 5) we screened over 200 clones for resistance to Streptomyces soil rot (field and greenhouse evaluations), root knot nematode (gh) and Fusarium (gh); 6) we continued evaluating material with high dry matter content that will be suitable for industrial purposes including ethanol production and other bio-based products to prepare the NC sweetpotato industry for future opportunities; 6) we continued a collaborative project with Dr. Robert Jarret to characterize the US sweetpotato germplasm collection with AFLP markers to establish a core collection of sweetpotato clones; 7) we continued our sweetpotato BAC library and molecular mapping efforts in collaboration with Dr. Bryon Sosinski, Research Asst. Professor, Horticultural Science and Director, NCSU CALS Genome Research Laboratory; 8) we released the Sweet Caroline
Series of ornamental sweetpotatoes (4 different colored clones bred for container cultures) to Bodger Botanicals for commercialization in the US and international landscape/potted-container markets; and 9) we collaborated with the NCSU Micropropagation Unit (MPU) variety evaluation efforts by evaluating three trials at three sites (HCRS and CRS, Nash Co.).
Impacts
The variety development work conducted by the program will benefit the NC and US sweetpotato industry through the development of improved varieties. Improved varieties will possess exceptional yield, appearance and quality characteristics. They will also have high levels of resistance to diseases and insects, and they will contribute to the development of a more sustainable and economically viable sweetpotato production system.
Publications
- Cervantes-Flores, J.C., Davis, E.L. and Yencho, G.C. 2002. Efficient evaluation of resistance to three root knot nematode species in selected sweetpotato cultivars. Hortscience 37:390-392.
- Mwanga, R.O.M., Kriegner, A., Cervantes-Flores, J., Zhang, D., Moyer, J. and Yencho, G.C. 2002. Resistance to sweetpotato chlorotic stunt virus and sweetpotato feathery mottle virus is mediated by two separate recessive genes in sweetpotato. J. Am. Soc. Hort. Sci. 127:798-806.
- Mwanga, R.O.M., Yencho, G.C. and Moyer, J.W. 2002. Diallel analysis of sweetpotatoes for resistance to sweetpotato virus disease. Euphytica 128:237-248.
- Mwanga, R.O.M., Moyer, J.W., Zhang, D., Carey, E.E. and Yencho, G.C. 2002. Nature of resistance of sweetpotato to sweetpotato virus diseases. Acta Horticulturae. 583:113-119.
- Sosinski, B., He, L., Cervantes-Flores, J.C., Pokryzwa, R., Bruckner, A. and Yencho, G.C. 2002. Sweetpotato genomics at NC State University. Acta Horticulturae. 583:51-60.
- Yencho, G.C., Pecota, K.V., Schultheis, J.R. and Sosinksi, B.R. 2002. Grower-participatory sweetpotato breeding efforts in North Carolina. Acta Horticulturae. 583:69-76.
- Yencho, G.C. and Pecota, K.V. 2003. Progress Report to North Carolina Sweetpotato Commission 2002: Sweetpotato breeding and variety development support 2002. In: North Carolina Sweetpotato Research and Extension Report Submitted to NC Sweetpotato Commission. 24 pp.
- Yencho, G.C. and Pecota, K.V. 2003. Progress Report to North Carolina Sweetpotato Commission 2002: Sweetpotato grower-participatory breeding project support 2002. In: North Carolina Sweetpotato Research and Extension Report Submitted to NC Sweetpotato Commission. 6 pp.
- Yencho, G.C. and Pecota, K.V. 2002. Report on the 2001 National Sweetpotato Collaborators Trial. In: McLaurin, W.J. (ed) National Sweetpotato Collaborators Group Progress Report, 2001.
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Progress 10/01/00 to 09/30/01
Outputs
The objectives of the sweetpotato breeding program are to: 1) develop sweetpotato varieties adapted to the growing conditions of North Carolina and the southeastern US; 2) broaden the germplasm base of cultivated sweetpotato through the incorporation of land races and related species; 3) provide advanced training for national and international students and scientists interested in sweetpotato improvement; and 4) develop and incorporate new breeding techniques and tools for the improvement of sweetpotato. Highlights of our 2001 breeding activities are as follows: 1) we planted 36,000 true seed at two research station sites and made over 500 seedling selections, each of which has the potential to be a new variety; 2) we planted over 20 trials to evaluate the performance of our preliminary and advanced clones; 3) we evaluated our most promising clones (NC97A-04, NC96-61, and NC98-608) in research station and on-farm trials; 4) we completed the fifth year of the Grower
Participatory Breeding Project in which first year seedlings and advanced clones are evaluated on-farm with the assistance of growers, Extension Agents and Specialists; 5) we screened over 190 clones for resistance to Streptomyces soil rot (field and greenhouse evaluations), root knot nematode (gh) and Fusarium (gh); 6) we continued evaluating material with high dry matter content that will be suitable for industrial purposes including ethanol production and other bio-based products to prepare the NC sweetpotato industry for future opportunities; 6) we initiated a collaborative project with Dr. Robert Jarret to characterize the US sweetpotato germplasm collection with AFLP markers to establish a core collection of sweetpotato clones; 7) we established a Sweetpotato Genomics Initiative and developed the first known BAC library of sweetpotato with Dr. Bryon Sosinski, Director, NCSU CALS Genome Research Laboratory; and 8) we released the Sweet Caroline Series of ornamental sweetpotatoes
(4 different colored clones bred for container cultures) to Bodger Botanicals for commercialization in the US and international landscape/potted-container markets. We also collaborated with the NCSU Micropropagation Unit (MPU) by 1) evaluating seven trials at three sites (HCRS and CRS, Columbus Co.) to select superior mericlones of Beauregard, Hernandez, and Jewel for release to NC growers, and we assisted in the evaluation of O'Henry, Porto Rico, White Delite and Japanese mericlones for inclusion in the MPU program; and 2) we conducted collaborative studies to evaluate of the effect of advanced generations (G0 to G5), and the accumulation of SPFMV and deleterious mutations on Beauregard yield and root quality.
Impacts
The variety development work conducted by the program will benefit the NC and US sweetpotato industry through the development of improved varieties. Improved varieties will possess exceptional yield, appearance and quality characteristics. They will also have high levels of resistance to diseases and insects, and they will contribute to the development of a more sustainable and economically viable sweetpotato production system.
Publications
- Cervantes-Flores, J.C. 2000. Root-knot nematode resistance in sweetpotato and development of sweetpotato differential host genotypes for Meloidogyne spp. Masters Thesis, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 73 pp.
- Mwanga, R.O.M. 2001. Nature of resistance and response of sweetpotato to sweetpotato virus disease. Ph.D. Dissertation, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 145 pp.
- Yencho, G.C. and K.V. Pecota. 2001. Progress Report to North Carolina Sweetpotato Commission: Sweetpotato breeding and variety development support. In: North Carolina Sweetpotato Research and Extension Report Submitted to NC Sweetpotato Commission. 24 pp.
- Yencho, G.C. and K.V. Pecota. 2001. Progress Report to North Carolina Sweetpotato Commission: Sweetpotato grower-participatory breeding project support. In: North Carolina Sweetpotato Research and Extension Report Submitted to NC Sweetpotato Commission. 6 pp.
- Yencho, G.C. and K.V. Pecota, 2001. Report on the 2000 National Sweetpotato Collaborators Trial. In: McLaurin, W.J. (ed) National Sweetpotato Collaborators Group Progress Report, 2001.
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Progress 01/01/00 to 12/31/00
Outputs
The objectives of the sweetpotato breeding program are to: 1) develop sweetpotato varieties adapted to the growing conditions of North Carolina and the southeastern US; 2) develop improved sweetpotato germplasm and broaden the germplasm base of cultivated sweetpotato through the incorporation of land races and related species; 3) provide advanced training for national and international students and scientists interested in sweetpotato improvement; and 4) incorporate and develop new breeding techniques and tools for the improvement of sweetpotato. Highlights of our 2000 activities are as follows: 1) We collaborated with the NCSU sweetpotato Micropropagation Unit (MPU) by evaluating nine trials at two sites (HCRS and CRS) to select superior mericlones of Hernandez, Jewel, Carolina Rose and Carolina Ruby for release to NC growers, and we assisted in the evaluation of Porto Rico, White Delite and Georgia Red mericlones for inclusion in the MPU program; 2) We collaborated
with the MPU to conduct studies of the effect of advanced generations (G0,G1,G2,G3 and G4) and the accumulation of SPFMV and deleterious mutations on Beauregard yield and root quality; 3) we completed the fourth year of the Grower Participatory Breeding Project in which first year seedlings were selected and advanced clones evaluated on-farm with the assistance of growers, Extension Agents and Specialists; 4) we planted 55,000 true seed which resulted in 826 seedling selections; 5) we concluded our third year of our Streptomyces soil rot (SSR) field nursery and screened 171 clones for field resistance to SSR. Finally, we began evaluating material with high dry matter percentage that will be suitable for industrial purposes including ethanol production and eventually biopharmaceuticals to prepare the NC sweetpotato industry for future opportunities.
Impacts
The variety development work conducted by the program will benefit the NC sweetpotato industry through the development of improved varieties adapted to NC's growing conditions.
Publications
- Yencho, G.C. and Pecota, K.V. 2000. Progress Report to North Carolina Sweetpotato Commission: Sweetpotato breeding and variety development support. In: North Carolina Sweetpotato Research and Extension Report Submitted to NC Sweetpotato Commission.
- Yencho, G.C. and Pecota, K.V. 2000. Report on the 1999 National Sweetpotato Collaborators Trial. In: McLaurin, W.J. (ed) National Sweetpotato Collaborators Group Progress Report, 2000.
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Progress 01/01/99 to 12/31/99
Outputs
The objectives of the sweetpotato breeding program are to: 1) develop sweetpotato varieties adapted to the growing conditions of North Carolina and the southeastern US; 2) develop improved sweetpotato germplasm and broaden the germplasm base of cultivated sweetpotato through the incorporation of land races and related species; 3) provide advanced training for national and international students and scientists interested in sweetpotato improvement; and 4) incorporate and develop new breeding techniques and tools for the improvement of sweetpotato. Highlights of our 1999 activities are as follows: 1) We collaborated with the NCSU sweetpotato Micropropagation Unit (MPU) by planting seven trials at two sites (HCRS and CRS) to select superior mericlones of Beauregard, Jewel, Carolina Rose and Carolina Ruby for release to NC growers, and we assisted in the evaluation of Hernandez mericlones for inclusion in the MPU program; 2) we completed the third year of the Grower
Participatory Breeding Project in which first year seedlings were selected on-farm with the assistance of growers, Extension Agents and Specialists; 3) we planted 61,000 true seed which resulted in 582 seedling selections; 4) we concluded our second year of our Streptomyces soil rot (SSR) field nursery and screened 171 clones for field resistance to SSR. Finally, we survived the hurricanes. Only a small portion of our lines were lost. Selecting under such severe conditions will help us develop material that can handle flood stress seasons.
Impacts
The variety development work conducted by the program will benefit the NC sweetpotato industry through the development of improved varieties adapted to NC's growing conditions.
Publications
- Yencho, G.C. and Pecota, K.V. 1999. Report on the 1999 National Sweetpotato Collaborators Trial. pp. 24 - 26. In: McLaurin, W.J. (ed) National Sweetpotato Collaborators Group Progress Report, 1999. 56 pp.
- Collins, W.W., Pecota, K.V. and Yencho, G.C. 1999. `Carolina Ruby' Sweetpotato. HortSci. 34:155-156.
- Yencho, G.C. and Pecota, K.V. 1999. Progress Report to North Carolina Sweetpotato Commission: Support for developing new sweetpotato varieties with high levels of disease resistance and high quality. In: North Carolina Sweetpotato Research and Extension Report Submitted to NC Sweetpotato Commission.
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