Biochemical Diversity of Sweetpotato Genotypes

A comprehensive analysis of the variation in sweetpotato [Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam.] is essential for sound germplasm conservation and recommendation strategies for production and consumption. The study evaluated biochemical content of 68 sweetpotato genotypes grown at the Miyare Agriculture Training College and Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization, Embu, Kenya. Ten storage root and seven aerial traits were used in the characterization. Storage root dry matter, protein and total carotenoids contents were all higher at the Miyare Agriculture Training College site compared to the Embu site; storage root sucrose and total starch content was higher in Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization, Embu, compared to the Miyare Agriculture Training College. Dry mater content ranged from 22.9% to 41.7%, protein content ranged from 5.2% to 13.4%, total carotenoids content ranged from 5.9 µg∙g-1 to 33.1 µg∙g-1, sucrose content ranged from 11.0 mg kg-1 to 108.5 mg kg-1, and total starch ranged from 9.1 mg kg-1 to 97.6 mg kg-1. The study demonstrates varying biochemical characteristics in sweetpotato, depending on genotypes and location. Selecting and improving sweet potago genotypes rich in biochemical contents could help to solve the problem of food security and nutrition, especially in developing countries.