Evaluation of promising sweetpotato genotypes for high altitude, cool, moist agroecologies of Uganda

Abstract

Eighteen genotypes from the NationalSweetpotato Programme were evaluated for their fresh storage root yield and
reaction to stem and leafbUght (Alternaria bataticola) at Kachwckano (2000 metres above sea level) in Southwest
Uganda. The trials were set up to identify sweetpotato genotypes with adaptation to highland agroecologies with special
reference to resistance to Ahemaria blight Alternaria blight was scored at harvest time on a scale of 1-5 (1 =symptomless
and 5= severe infection) and storage root yields were taken at harvest. Based on the evaluation made during crop
growth and at harvest, four genotypes and the local check, Magabari, bad high levels of resistance toA/Jemaria blight.
Eight genotypes had total storage root yield higher than the local check indicating higher yield potential of the new
genotypes. The differences in yield and susceptibility to Alternaria from the breeding programme offer great advances
in breeding varieties for highland tropical environments where the disease is of major importance.