Progress 10/01/18 to 09/30/21
Outputs
Target Audience:Small vegetable growers, Cooperative Extension agents. Due to COVID-19, workshops and presentations that were proposed to be organized at NC A&T State University during the Small Farms Week were not done. These workshops were aimed to help educate vegetable growers and Extension Agents on the pest abundance and diversity on sweet potato, the type of damages caused by pests and information of sweet potato varieties suitable for dual purpose (leaf and tuber). Changes/Problems:Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, some challenges were encountered, and therefore changes were made to the original plan for the project. In 2020, the project timeline was affected because we were not able to start early as planned and therefore needed to change the design of the field experiments. Also we were unable to have help from summer student workers. Field work originally planned to begin in May did not begin until July 2020. In 2021, the Postdoc left the project for greener pastures just when data collection was on going. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Insect identification skills has been acquired and improved. Research team is able to identify insect pests associated with sweet potato production and grade sweet potato roots by USDA standards. Traditional antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) methods presented us with many challenges that we were able to overcome with some modification or by using a combination of two or more AST methods. Stain tissues or cells-skills in the mechanism of trypan blue staining, MTT (Cell Proliferation) Assay, Data analysis. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?We were planning to have Workshops and presentations at NC A&T State University during the Small Farms Week but due to COVID 19 this could not be done. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?
Nothing Reported
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Objective 1: Sensory evaluation of Sweet Potato Cultivars During the fall and spring of 2019, the research team carried out sensory evaluation of sweet potato roots to determine preference of the 20 cultivars (Nancy Hall produced no roots). For each cultivar, sweet potato roots were washed and cooked in a microwave oven until tender. A panel of up to nine participants were offered slices of up to six different cultivars at a given time and were provided with water to rinse their mouths between tasting. The participants graded the cultivars in terms of texture, aroma, taste/flavor, color and overall preference. The sensory evaluation of the sweet potato (SP) roots revealed the most preferred cultivars in terms of overall preference (color, aroma, flavor/taste, and texture). The five most preferred cultivars in order of preference were Burgundy, Garnet, Matembele, Murasaki, and Korean. The five least preferred cultivars were O'Henry < Diane < White Haymon < Red Japanese < Hernandez. Objective 2: Evaluate cultivars for dual purpose (leaf and root) production, including impact of leaf harvesting on root production, pests and disease incidence and diversity. In the summer of 2019 and 2020, experiments were set up using twenty sweet potato (SP) cultivars (All Purple, Beauregard, Bunch Porto Rico, Burgundy, Carolina Ruby, Covington, Diane, Garnet, Georgia Jet, Ginseng, Hernandez, Korean, Matembele, Murasaki, Nancy Hall, O'Henry, Orleans, Red Japanese, White Bonita, and White Haymon) planted in two 5m long rows. Yellow sticky traps and vacuum sampling were used to evaluate insect abundance and diversity. Young tender leaves were harvested from one row of each cultivar. The other unharvested row served as the control. At maturity, plants were dug up and the number of roots counted, weighed, and graded. In 2019, data from the sticky traps indicated that 20 insect pest families were identified. The most prevalent families were Thripidae, Aleyrodidae, Aphididae (SP aphids), Chrysomelidae (SP flea beetles, Cucumber beetles), Cicadellidae (leaf hoppers), and Derbidae (plant hoppers). The lowest incidence of pests was recorded on Matembele < Orleans < Diane < Nancy Hall < Georgia Jet. The five cultivars with the highest pest numbers were Ginseng > Korean > O'Henry > Garnet > Burgundy. In 2020, data from vacuum sampling indicated that 17 insect pest families were identified. The most prevalent families were Cicadellidae (leaf hoppers), Miridae (plant bugs), Chrysomelidae (SP flea beetles, Cucumber beetles) Sciaridae (fungus gnats), Cecidomyiidae (gall midges), Membracidae (treehoppers), and Aphididae (SP aphids). The lowest incidence of pests was recorded on Nancy Hall < Beauregard < Hernandez < Murasaki < Orleans. The five cultivars with the highest pest numbers were Matembele > Ginseng > O'Henry > Bunch Porto Rico > Carolina Ruby. The five highest producing cultivars were in the order of Korean (0.4 kg/plant) > Matembele > Georgia Jet > All Purple > Diane. The lowest leaf-producing cultivars were Orleans (0.08 kg/plant) < Carolina Ruby < Burgundy < Bunch Porto Rico < Beauregard. When cultivars were ranked with respect to root yield from control, Georgia Jet produced the highest (2.3 kg/plant) > Garnet > Korean > Beauregard > Diane (1.7 kg/plant). The lowest root yield was recorded in Nancy Hall (0.26 kg/plant) < O'Henry < White Haymon < All Purple < Bunch Porto Rico (0.94 kg/plant). When cultivars were ranked for dual-purpose (root and leaf yield) production, Georgia Jet ranked highest with 2.1 and 0.3 kg/plant for roots and leaves respectively. Other cultivars that ranked high were Korean > Diane > Hernandez > Garnet (1.8 and 0.2 kg/plant for roots and leaves respectively). The five lowest dual-purpose cultivars were Bunch Porto Rico (0.8 and 0.1 kg/plant for roots and leaves respectively) < O'Henry < Murasaki < Burgundy < Carolina Ruby. Overall, there was a negative impact of leaf harvesting on root production for all cultivars. After leaf harvest, root yield per plant was about 17% lower compared to when leaves were not harvested. Objective 3: Intercropping Sweet Potato with two other crops commonly grown by small growers: Among four sweet potato varieties intercropped with corn and bell pepper, leaf yield was not different. Leaf yield was greater for intercropped treatments than control with 1.9, 1.7, 1.7 and 1.3 for Georgia jet, Diane, Garnet and Beauregard respectively and 0.8, 0.7, 0.7 and 0.6 for their respective controls. Leaf harvest was accompanied by a corresponding increase in root yield for Garnet, Georgia jet and Diane equivalent to 55%, 41% and 11% change for the intercropped treatments respectively than their control. Leaf harvest resulted in a decrease (-4%) in root yield in Beauregard than the control. The average yield (kg) for corn intercrop was greater than yield from control: 5.7, 5.2, 5.1 and 4.6 and 3.6 for corn intercropped with Garnet, Beauregard, Diane and Georgia jet and control respectively. Similarly, mean number of corn cobs were more for the intercrop than control: 18.3, 17.3, 16.6, 15.4 and 13.9 for Garnet, Beauregard, Diana, Georgia jet and control respectively. The mean weight and the number of peppers recorded from the intercropped and control were similar. Overall, intercropping resulted in increased sweet potato leaf, root and corn yield. Objective 4: Determine the existence of antimicrobial activity of sweet potato leaves and roots against select zoonotic pathogens in the laboratory. Antibacterial activity was determined by bacteria ability to grow after being exposed to extract at a 50% (v/v) concentrations. Selected bacteria was exposed to sweet potato crude extracts for a selected duration, streaked onto Mueller Hinton Agar (MHA) plates, incubated overnight (16-18 h) at 37°C and counted. All samples were plated in duplicate and the average was recorded. Plates that >150 colony forming units were recorded as too numerous to count (TNC). Results indicated fifty percent (10 out of 20) cultivars of sweet potato plants exhibited antimicrobial activity. Crude extracts recovered stems, leaves, and roots from the different cultivars demonstrated antibacterial activity Escherichia coli (ATCC 700927) and Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 700698) using an in vitro disk diffusion or micro-broth dilution assay. Antibacterial in vitro testing revealed that Nancy Hall was the only sweet potato plant cultivar that exhibited antibacterial activities from the crude extracts isolated from the stem, leaf, and root against E. coli 700927 and S. aureus 700698. Similarly, crude extracts isolated from the leaves of Red Japanese, Brunch Porto Rico, Beaurgard, and White Hayman resulted in the complete inhibition of growth of E. coli 700927 and S. aureus 700698. Complete inhibition was observed for root crude extracts from Ginseng, Variety 20, Garnet, Hernandez and Matembele and antibacterial activity against Garnet, Hernandez and Matembele. Objective 5: Evaluate effect of sweet potato leaf extracts on triple negative breast Cancer (TNBC) Cells. The study examined methanol extracts of sweet potato leaves for their potential to prevent breast cancer cell proliferation and migration. Sweet potato leaves from Georgia Jet and Red Japanese varieties were able to prevent breast cancer cell proliferation. Further investigations showed these extracts did not induce apoptosis, suggesting the extracts are able to prevent cell growth and inhibit breast cancer growth in a cytostatic manner. Migration studies demonstrated the anti-migratory properties of the extracts.
Publications
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2020
Citation:
Ayamga Enoch A., B. Dingha, P. Martin, C. Rorie, B. Amoah, and L. Jackai (2020). Effect of foliage removal on sweet potato (Ipomea batata) root yield and the anticancer effects of selected cultivars. 78th Annual Professional Agriculture Workers Conference (PAWC) Tuskegee University, Tuskegee, AL University Dec. 6-8 2020. In: Student competitions Program and Books of Abstract pg. 35
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Progress 10/01/19 to 09/30/20
Outputs
Target Audience:Small vegetable growers, Cooperative Extension agents. Workshops and presentations would be organized at NC A&T State University during the Small Farms Week to help educate vegetable growers and Extension Agents on the pest abundance and diversity on sweet potato, the type of damages caused by pests and information of sweet potato varieties suitable for dual purpose (leaf and tuber). Changes/Problems:Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, some challenges were encountered, and therefore changes were made to the original plan for this year. The project timeline was affected because we were not able to start early as planned and therefore needed to change the design of the field experiments. Field work originally planned to begin in May did not begin until July 2020. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Training activities included insect identification skills. Research team (graduate students and Research Technician) were trained and can now identify insect pests associated with sweet potato production and grade sweet potato roots according to USDA standards. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?
Nothing Reported
What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Research will continue to address the objectives of the project. Specific plans include sensory evaluation of sweet potato leaves harvested from all 20 cultivars. The effect of different planting dates on root and leaf yield and insect incidence on selected (10) sweet potato cultivars will also be investigated. These sweet potato cultivars will be selected based on their root and leaf yield, consumer preference, and cytotoxic properties in previous experiments carried out by the research team.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Objective 1: Determine the knowledge base of small farmers on sweet potato production and use in NC. The survey is being developed using Qualtrics and information obtained will enable us to assess the existing gaps in this knowledge base through measurement of some of the following parameters: (a) knowledge of consumption of sweet potato leaves; (b) sweet potato insect infestation; (c) crop protection and pest management. Objective 2: Evaluate local breeding lines and other cultivars for dual purpose (leaf and root) production, including impact of leaf harvesting on root production, pests and disease incidence and diversity. The sensory evaluation of the sweet potato (SP) roots revealed the most preferred cultivars in terms of overall preference (color, aroma, flavor/taste, and texture). The five most preferred cultivars in order of preference were Burgundy, Garnet, Matembele, Murasaki, and Korean. The five least preferred cultivars were O'Henry < Diane < White Haymon < Red Japanese < Hernandez. We determined the diversity and abundance of insects captured on yellow sticky traps. Data obtained from the sticky traps indicated that 20 insect pest families were identified. The most prevalent families were Thripidae, Aleyrodidae, Aphididae (SP aphids), Chrysomelidae (SP flea beetles, Cucumber beetles), Cicadellidae (leaf hoppers), and Derbidae (plant hoppers). The lowest incidence of pests was recorded on Matembele < Orleans < Diane < Nancy Hall < Georgia Jet. The five cultivars with the highest pest numbers were Ginseng > Korean > O'Henry > Garnet > Burgundy. Fifteen families of beneficial insects, Araneae (spiders), and Collembola (springtails) were recorded. Prevalent among them were Dolichopodidae (long-legged flies), Chironomidae (non-biting midges), Platygastridae (parasitoid wasps), Collembola (springtails), Crabronidae (crabronid wasps), and Ercyrtidae (parasitic wasps). The highest number of beneficial arthropods were recorded as follows: Red Japanese > All Purple > Orleans > Nancy Hall > White Bonita. The lowest number of beneficial arthropods insects were recorded on Murasaki < White Haymon < Hernandez < Carolina Ruby < O'Henry. The number of flowers per 0.5 m2 quadrat varied from 0.3 on White Haymon to 4.8 on Murasaki. The five cultivars with the highest number of flowers per 0.5 m2 quadrat were Murasaki > Korean > White Bonita > Georgia Jet > Garnet. The cultivars with the lowest number of flowers were as follows: White Haymon < Ginseng < Bunch Porto Rico < O'Henry < Orleans. Fewer honey bees were recorded on all cultivars than bumble bees. The total number of bees (honey bees and bumble bees) per bed ranged from 0.2 on O'Henry to 10.5 on Korean. The highest number of bees were recorded in the following cultivars: Korean > Murasaki > Red Japanese > Garnet > Georgia Jet. The lowest number of bees were recorded on O'Henry < Ginseng < White Haymon < Bunch Porto Rico < Orleans. Matembele had no flowers or bees recorded. Objective 5: Evaluate the cytotoxic effects of sweet potato leaves on triple negative breast cancer (TNBC). We determined the cytotoxic effects of the leaf extracts of two sweet potato cultivars (Covington and Georgia Jet), on TNBC cells by the MTT assay method, a method used to measure cellular metabolic activity as an indicator of cell viability, proliferation, and cytotoxicity. Preliminary results suggest that the leaf extracts have a cytotoxic dose-response effect on the cells. Key Outcomes. Our findings would provide information that would enable farmers become aware of sweet potato cultivars that are best for dual-purpose (high leaf biomass and root yield). In addition, growers would become aware of sweet potato cultivars most preferred by consumers. This would enhance knowledge as farmers would be able to make important decisions on the cultivars they should cultivate and subsequently realize increased profits. Growers will incorporate sweet potato into their production system given the added advantage of growing for dual purpose. With climate change affecting crop production, we propose to study the different dates of planting sweet potato so growers can become aware of the best time to grow the crop and avoid pest damage. This project would increase awareness of the damage potential of the different pests of sweet potato. The optimum date of planting sweet potato will be easily and readily adopted by farmers and will potentially impact environmental quality and food safety resulting from a reduction in pesticide residues on the crops. Growers would realize increased profits. Information on the cytotoxic effects of the leaves will encourage consumers to use sweet potato leaves as a vegetable to improve their health because of the added health benefits. The resulting increase in demand for sweet potato will help address the issues of food insecurity in North Carolina.
Publications
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2020
Citation:
Ayamga Enoch A., B. Dingha, P. Martin, C. Rorie, B. Amoah, and L. Jackai (2020). Effect of foliage removal on sweet potato (Ipomea batata) root yield and the anticancer effects of selected cultivars. 78th Annual Professional Agriculture Workers Conference (PAWC) Tuskegee University, Tuskegee, AL University Dec. 6-8 2020
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Progress 10/01/18 to 09/30/19
Outputs
Target Audience:Small vegetable growers, Cooperative Extension agents. Workshops and presentations would be organized at NC A&T State University during the Small Farms Week to help educate vegetable growers and Extension Agents on sweet potato pests, damage it causes and diversify uses (leaf and tuber). Changes/Problems:Objective 5 was modified from "Determine the molecular distinctiveness (anti-inflammatory properties) of selected sweet potato cultivars and the impact on animal (livestock and human) health" to "Evaluate the effect of sweet potato leaf extracts on triple negative breast cancer (TNBC)". This change was required as Dr. Worku is no more participating on the project and Dr. Rorie and Dr. Martin in the Biology department are joining as collaborators. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?
Nothing Reported
How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?
Nothing Reported
What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?To continue work on Objectives 1, 3, 4 and 5.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Objective 1: Determine the knowledge base of small farmers on sweet potato production and use in NC. The survey is being developed using Qualtrix and information obtained will enable us assess the existing gaps in this knowledge base through measurement of some the following parameters: (a) knowledge of consumption of sweet potato leaves; (b) sweet potato insect infestation; (c) crop protection and pest management. Objective 2: Evaluate local breeding lines and other cultivars for dual purpose (leaf and root) production, including impact of leaf harvesting on root production, pests and disease incidence and diversity. Experiments were set up at the NC A&T research farm using twenty sweet potato (SP) cultivars commonly grown by small farmers in NC to evaluate ecological adaptability and pest incidence and severity. The cultivars planted were: All Purple, Beauregard, Bunch Porto Rico, Burgundy, Carolina Ruby, Covington, Diane, Garnet, Georgia Jet, Ginseng, Hernandez, Korean, Matembele, Murasaki, Nancy Hall, O'Henry, Orleans, Red Japanese, White Bonita, and White Haymon. The experimental design used was Randomized Block Design consisting of four replications (blocks). In each block, each of the cultivars was planted on two 5 m rows. Information on the diversity and abundance of insects on the various cultivars was obtained using sticky traps and vacuum sampling technique. Five weeks after planting, sticky traps (yellow and purple) were deployed within each cultivar once a week and collected after 24 hours. This was repeated for five consecutive weeks. Vacuum sampling of insects began six weeks after planting and was done every other week for three times. Young tender leaves were harvested from one row of each cultivar beginning five weeks after planting. The other unharvested row served as the control. Leaf harvesting was done at 14-day interval for four times. At maturity (beginning 13 weeks after planting), plants were dug up and the number of roots counted, weighed, and graded. Data obtained from the vacuum sampling indicated that 17 insect pest families were identified. The most prevalent families were Cicadellidae (leaf hoppers), Miridae (plant bugs), Chrysomelidae (SP flea beetles, Cucumber beetles) Sciaridae (fungus gnats), Cecidomyiidae (gall midges), Membracidae (treehoppers), and Aphididae (SP aphids). The lowest incidence of pests was recorded on Nancy Hall < Beauregard < Hernandez < Murasaki < Orleans. The five cultivars with the highest pest numbers were Matembele > Ginseng > O'Henry > Bunch Porto Rico > Carolina Ruby. Sixteen families of beneficial insects were recorded. Prevalent among them were Chaoboridae (Phantom midges) , Dolichopodidae (long-legged flies), Coccinellidae (lady beetles), Reduviidae (Assassin bugs), and Chironomidae (non-biting midges). The highest number of beneficial insects were recorded as follows: Diane > Matembele > Red Japanese > Burgundy and Korean. The lowest number of beneficial insects was recorded on Nancy Hall < O'Henry < Hernandez < Bunch Porto Rico < White Bonita. In terms of total leaf weight per plant, the five highest producing cultivars were in the order of Korean (0.4 kg per plant) > Matembele > Georgia Jet > All Purple > Diane. The lowest leaf-producing cultivars were Orleans (0.08 kg per plant) < Carolina Ruby < Burgundy < Bunch Porto Rico < Beauregard. When cultivars were ranked with respect to root yield from control (unharvested row), Georgia Jet produced the highest (2.3 kg/plant) > Garnet > Korean > Beauregard > Diane (1.7 kg/plant). The lowest root yield was recorded in Nancy Hall (0.26 kg/plant) < O'Henry < White Haymon < All Purple < Bunch Porto Rico (0.94 kg/plant). When cultivars were ranked for dual-purpose (root and leaf yield) production, Georgia Jet ranked highest with 2.1 and 0.3 kg/plant for roots and leaves respectively. Other cultivars that ranked high were Korean > Diane > Hernandez > Garnet (1.8 and 0.2 kg/plant for roots and leaves respectively). The five lowest dual-purpose cultivars were Bunch Porto Rico (0.8 and 0.1 kg/plant for roots and leaves respectively) < O'Henry < Murasaki < Burgundy < Carolina Ruby. Overall, there was a negative impact of leaf harvesting on root production for all cultivars. After leaf harvest, root yield per plant was about 17% lower compared to when leaves were not harvested. Samples on sticky traps are currently been identified and detailed statistical analyses are yet to be done on these findings. Objective 5: Evaluate the cytotoxic effects of sweet potato leaves on triple negative breast cancer (TNBC). Sweet potato leaves were harvested from six cultivars which were selected based on their yield potential, popularity, skin color and/or flesh color. The selected cultivars are All Purple, Beauregard, Covington, Georgia Jet, Murasaki and Red Japanese. The leaves of the cultivars were washed with water, freeze-dried, and ground into fine particles. The powdered samples of the sweet potato cultivars were each dissolved in methanol and placed on a shaker for two hours. Each mixture was filtered using a filter paper and the methanol was evaporated. The extract from each of the cultivars was then dissolved in methanol to achieve 1 g/L concentration. Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) cells were then exposed to 1 g/L concentration of each of the various extracts and observed at 24, 48, and 72 hours after exposure. Our results suggest that all the cultivars tested have cytotoxic effects on the TNBC cells, with Beauregard eliciting the strongest effect. The cytotoxicity effects of the remaining cultivars were similar. The experiments will be repeated using concentrations lower than 1 g/L (25µg/L and 250 µg/L) to help determine the least effective concentration. Key Outcomes. This project would enhance knowledge- Farmers/ Extension agents and producers/consumer would have increased knowledge on pests and diversify use of sweet potato. Among sweet potato growers, there will be knowledge gained through increased knowledge on different approaches for sustainable management of sweet potato pests. Growers/producers will incorporate sweet potato into their production system. There would be increased utilization of sweet potato leaves as a vegetable and increased awareness of diverse use of sweet potato (leaf and root). In addition, there would be increased demand/commitment to intercrop sweet potato in most farming systems. This will be easily and readily adopted by farmers and will potentially impact environmental quality and food safety resulting from a reduction in pesticide residues on the crops. Growers would realize increased profits.
Publications
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