SWEETPOTATO PLANT NAMED 'LA15-527'

Abstract

A new variety of sweetpotato, identified as LA15-527, is disclosed having attractive chartreuse leaves and storage root formation.

Claims

1. A new and distinct variety of Ipomoea batatas plant named LA15-527 as described and illustrated in the specification herein.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] FIG. 1 is a color photograph of the fleshy root form of the novel variety of sweetpotato identified as LA15-527.

[0008] FIG. 2 is a color photograph of the fleshy root form of the Marguerite variety of sweetpotato.

[0009] FIG. 3 is a color photograph of the canopy biomass of the novel variety of sweetpotato identified as LA15-527 (right) and Marguerite (left).

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

[0010] This new variety of sweetpotato, named LA15-527, resulted from a cross performed in 2014 between a progeny of Marguerite x LA2001.6 (not patented) and the male parent LA 08-36 (not patented). The female parent (Marguerite x LA2001.6) has green, deep lobed leaves and is profusely flowering. The male parent (LA 08-36) has chartreuse, spade shaped leaves. LA15-527 was developed to provide a variety with ornamental foliage characteristics similar to Marguerite, but with storage root formation. Marguerite infrequently produces a fleshy storage root.

[0011] Plants of LA15-527 and variety Marguerite can be differentiated. Leaves of LA15-527 are chartreuse [10 Y (yellow) (6/10)] and Marguerite in comparison is more yellow [10 Y (yellow) (6/8)] as depicted in FIG. 3. Both have entire leaves. LA15-527 has a cordate base to the leaf and Marguerite is slightly hastate. LA15-527 forms fleshy storage roots while Marguerite infrequently produces storage roots. Color terminology used herein is in accordance with the MUNSELL Book of Color (2003 Edition, Munsell Color, GretagMacbeth LLC, 617 Little Britain Road, New Windsor, N.Y. 12553-6148). The color descriptions and color illustrations are as nearly true as is reasonably possible. However, it is understood that both color and other phenotypic expressions described herein may vary from plant to plant with differences in growth, environment and cultural conditions, without any change in the genotype of the variety LA15-527.

[0012] LA15-527 roots were stored during the winter in Baton Rouge, La. LA15-527 was planted the following spring, resulting in approximately 8-10 sprouts per root. Cuttings from the sprouts were transplanted successfully for asexual reproduction in Baton Rouge, La. Asexual propagation of the new cultivar by cuttings has shown that the unique features of this new sweetpotato were stable and that the plant reproduced true to type in successive generations of asexual propagation. Plants described herein were 90 days in age from planting in full sun field plantings.

[0013] FIG. 1 depicts the fleshy root form of the LA15-527 sweetpotato. The skin is light tan at harvest and after several months of storage as shown in Table 1. MUNSELL Book of Color values for skin and flesh for LA15-527 and Marguerite are shown in Table 1. No eyes or longitudinal grooving is present. The Marguerite sweetpotato is depicted in FIG. 2. The skin for LA15-527 and Marguerite was smooth. The LA15-527 cortex was 4.1 mm in depth and the color similar throughout for the white-yellow flesh; some fleshy roots have purple mottling. The skin of Marguerite is red-purple and flesh similar to LA15-527 without purple mottling.

TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Variable Variety Color Skin LA15-527 5 Y (yellow) R (red) 8/4 Marguerite 2.5 R (red) P (purple) 6/6 Flesh LA15-527 5 Y (yellow) 9/2 LA15-527' (purple 2.5 R (red) P (purple) 7/4 mottle) Marguerite 7.5 Y (yellow) 9/2

[0014] FIG. 3 depicts the canopy biomass of LA15-527 and Marguerite sweetpotato. LA15-527 has round, green-stemmed vines which change little [2.5 G (green) Y (yellow) (6/10)] from the apex and extends to the crown of the roots. Stems exposed to bright sun take on a reddish hue [5 R (red) (4/4)]. The first 4 cm from the apex is slightly pubescent before becoming glabrous. The LA15-527 canopy biomass appears less than Marguerite. The LA15-527 canopy architecture was semi-upright and average (23 cm) in height from the soil surface and less than Marguerite. For LA15-527, three main vines arose from the main stem near the soil surface. The stem giving rise to these vines was 1.3 cm in diameter; the 3 lateral vines were 121 cm in length with diameters of about 0.4 cm at 65 cm from the base and diameters of about 0.25 cm at the first internode of the first fully developed leaf from the apex. The spread is less than Marguerite but average compared to other sweetpotato varieties. Six lateral branches arose from each of the main vines. At the first internode from the apex, the internode length was about 1.3 cm between the first and second fully developed leaves. Internode lengths for other sections of the vine averaged about 3.1 cm. Unfolded immature leaves were light green [2.5 G (green) Y (yellow) (6/8)] for the adaxial and a more yellow [10 Y (yellow) 6/10)] abaxial surface, which change little over 7 nodes from the apex. The abaxial leaves differ slightly [2.5 G (green) Y (yellow) (6/4)]. Anthocyanin pigmentation and pubescence were absent from the stem tips and unfolded immature leaves. Mature leaves five nodes from the apex had an acute apex and mostly a cordate base. Leaf margins are smooth. Mature leaves were about 7.4 cm long and 7.7 cm wide with margins having 5 very shallow leaf lobes and round in appearance. Leaves were glabrous for abaxial and adaxial sides, without undulations, and pliable. Mature adaxial and abaxial veins were in a pinnate venation pattern and weak purple [7.5 R (red) P (purple) (4/6)] and fades as it reaches the apex of the leaf. This differs from immature leaves with no purple hue to veins. The petiole was green [2.5 G (green) Y (yellow) (6/10)]. A weak purple [7.5 R (red) P (purple) (4/6)] marking was at the base of the entire leaf junction with the petiole and extends 0.5 cm on the petiole. The round glabrous petiole was 3.0 cm long at five nodes from the apex, and 2 mm in diameter at 5 cm from the leaf junction. The dormant nodal meristem was green [2.5 G (green) Y (yellow) (6/10)].

[0015] Flowers are uncommon in LA15-527. A typical inflorescence of LA15-527 displayed two flowers per peduncle. Peduncles were green [10 Y (yellow) (6/8)], about 4.2 cm long, and about 3 mm in diameter. Individual flowers were about 3.5 cm long from the base of the calyx, and the corolla was 2.5 cm wide at the opening. The fused flower petals formed a pentagonal pattern with smooth edges. The inner throat of the corolla was purple [7.5 P (purple) (3/8)]. The inner and outer limbs of the corolla (corollas outermost area, distal from the calyx) were light purple [7.5 P (purple) (7/4)]. The five sepals comprising the calyx were elliptic with a cordate apex and green [2.5 G (green) Y (yellow) (6/6)]; three of these sepals were about 10 mm long and 4 mm wide. Two other sepals (interspersed) were about 6 mm long and 2.7 mm wide. Sepal margins were entire. Stigmata were about 1.4 cm long and light purple [7.5 R (red) P (purple) (8/6)] at the base before fading. Five stamens were inferior to the stigmata. A slight fragrance was present. Mature seed capsules are round and 6-6.3 mm in length and width, and seeds are 3.5 mm round. One black [neutral 1.75] seed is produced on average per capsule.

EXAMPLE 1

Tests Conducted

[0016] To confirm that LA15-527 was a new ornamental variety with storage roots, controlled tests (e.g., pathogen responses and yield) were conducted in Baton Rouge, La. Diseases that commonly affect the growth of sweetpotatoes were selected to test for pathogen responses in both varieties. LA15-527 was very susceptible to Fusarium wilt or stem rot caused by Fusarium oxysporum Schlect. f sp. batatas (Wollenw.) Snyd. & Hans.

[0017] LA15-527 has not been tested for novel insect resistance.

[0018] Nematode reproduction was measured in greenhouse tests. LA15-527 was susceptible to race 3 of the southern root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne incognita (Kofoid & White 1919) Chitwood 1949. Resistance reactions for Marguerite are unknown.

[0019] LA15-527 is drought and heat tolerant like Marguerite and succumbs to death at freezing like Marguerite.

[0020] To determine yield production, three sweetpotato plants of LA15-527 were transplanted to 2.65 L pots in 2018 in Baton Rouge, La. containing commercial potting soil. Pots were watered daily to field capacity. Storage roots are mostly oblong and thus do not fit U.S grades of sweetpotato. The average yield was 0.5kg per pot. Most roots measure 90-135 mm long and 27-44 mm in diameter. Roots tend to be in two weight classes (50-80g and 120-150g) and small. LA15-527 is not intended for commercial storage root production, but intended as an ornamental with edible storage roots.

[0021] LA15-527 should be a valuable commercial ornamental sweetpotato variety. LA15-527 represents a unique canopy type which produces edible storage roots.