ORNAMENTAL SWEETPOTATO PLANT NAMED 'LA17-54'

Abstract

A new variety of sweetpotato, identified as LA17-54, is disclosed having disease resistance to Fusarium wilt; an orange flesh, red-copper skin storage root and attractive purple, red-hued and green leaves with purple venation and purple vines

Claims

1. A new and distinct variety of Ipomoea batatas plant named LA17-54 as described and illustrated in the specification herein.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] FIG. 1 is a color photograph of the fleshy root form of the novel variety of sweetpotato identified as LA17-54.

[0007] FIG. 2 is a color photograph of the fleshy root form of the sweetpotato variety identified as 05-111.

[0008] FIG. 3 is a color photograph of the canopy biomass of the novel variety of sweetpotato identified as LA17-54 with card stating 17-54.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

[0009] This new variety of sweetpotato, named LA17-54, resulted from an open pollinated cross performed in 2016 to the female parent LA16-82 (not patented). The female parent LA16-82 has dark green foliage but not purple. LA16-54 was developed to provide a variety with storage root characteristics similar to 05-111 (U.S. Plant Pat. 23,761 P3) and attractive foliage for ornamental use.

[0010] Plants of LA17-54 and variety 05-111 can be differentiated. Many leaves of LA17-54 are entire and purple [7.5 P (purple) (2/2)] and 05-111 has an entire green leaf. Roots of LA17-54 are red-copper skin [7.5 Y (yellow) R (red) (7/10)] and can be differentiated from the light to medium rose skin of 05-111. 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 LA17-54.

[0011] LA17-54 roots were stored during the winter in Chase, La. LA17-54 was planted the following spring, resulting in approximately 8-10 sprouts per root. Cuttings from the sprouts were transplanted successfully for asexual reproduction in Chase, 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.

[0012] FIG. 1 depicts the fleshy root form of the LA17-54 sweetpotato. The skin is a red-copper and differs from the light to medium rose 05-111, both at harvest and after several months of storage as shown in Table 1. No eyes or longitudinal grooving is present. MUNSELL Book of Color values for skin and flesh for both LA17-54 and 05-111 storage roots are shown in Table 1. The 05-111 sweetpotato is depicted in FIG. 2. The skin for both LA17-54 and 05-111 was smooth. The LA17-54 cortex was 3 mm in depth and the color similar throughout. The flesh of LA17-54 is orange and comparable to orange flesh 05-111.

TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Variable Variety Color Skin LA17-54 7.5 (yellow) R (red) 7/10 05-111 2.5 Y (yellow) R (red) 6/6 Flesh LA17-54 5 Y (yellow) R (red) 7/10 05-111 2.5 Y (yellow) R (red) 7/8

[0013] FIG. 3 depicts the canopy biomass of LA17-54 sweetpotato. LA17-54 has round, green-stemmed vines which change quickly from a green apex [2.5 G (green) Y (yellow) (4/6)] to purple vines [2.5 R (red) P (purple) (2/6)] 0.6 cm from the apex and extends to the crown of the roots. The apex has weak purple [10 P (purple) (3/6)] undertones. The first 4 cm from the apex is weakly pubescence before becoming glabrous. The LA17-54 canopy biomass appears to be reduced in comparison to 05-111. The LA17-54 canopy architecture was 16 cm in height from the soil surface and semi-upright. For LA17-54, five main vines arose from the main stem near the soil surface. The stem giving rise to these vines was 0.12 cm in diameter; the 5 lateral vines were 76 cm in length with diameters of about 0.6 cm at 65 cm from the base and diameters of about 0.5 cm at the first internode of the first fully developed leaf from the apex. The spread is less than 05-111 and semi-compact. Four lateral branches arose from each of the main vines. At the first internode from the apex, the internode length was about 1.2 cm between the first and second fully developed leaves. Internode lengths for other sections of the vine averaged about 2.2 cm. Unfolded immature leaves and newly open leaves were light green [2.5 G (green) Y (yellow) (4/6)] for the adaxial and abaxial surface, which change over three nodes from the apex for the adaxial surface to a dark purple [2.5 R (red) P (purple) (2/2)] and a dark purple abaxial surface [2.5 P (purple) 2/2]. Mature older leaves are dark purple [7.5 P (purple) (2/2)] for the adaxial surface and purple for the abaxial surface [7.5 R (red) P (purple) (3/4)]. Older leaves have faded purple and take on a red hue [10 R (red) P (purple) (2/6)]. Other leaves become green [7.5 G (green) Y (yellow) (3/6)]. A mix of leaf colors add to ornamental characteristics of LA17-54. Mature leaves five nodes from the apex had an acute apex and mostly a cordate base and entire leaf. Leaf margins are entire. Leaves are undulating, slightly wrinkled and have weak rugose texture on adaxial and abaxial surface. Mature leaves were about 6.0 cm long and 7.9 cm wide. Adaxial and abaxial veins were in a pinnate venation pattern and very large purple [7.5 P (purple) (2/2)] coloration. The petiole was purple [2.5 R (red) P (purple) (2/6)]. The coloration extended from the leaf veins to the petiole in a continuous fashion. The petiole was 7.5 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 purple [2.5 R (red) P (purple) (2/6)].

[0014] A typical inflorescence of LA17-54 displayed two clusters of six flowers per peduncle. Peduncles were purple [5 P (purple) (2/4)], about 15 cm long, and about 3.4 mm in diameter. Individual flowers were about 3.5 cm long from the base of the calyx, and the corolla was 4.2 cm wide at the opening. The fused flower petals formed a pentagonal pattern with smooth edges. The inner throat of the corolla is purple [5 P (purple) (3/6)]. The inner and outer limbs of the corolla (corollas outermost area, distal from the calyx) were light purple [10 P (purple) (6/4)]. The five sepals comprising the calyx were elliptic with a cordate apex and purple [10 P (purple) (6/4)]; three of these sepals were about 12.5 mm long and 6.0 mm wide. Two other sepals (interspersed) were about 9 mm long and 3.5 mm wide. Sepal margins were entire. Stigmata were about 1.7 cm long and light purple [10 P (purple) (8/4)] at the base before fading. Three stamens were inferior to the stigmata and 2 were superior to the stigmata. A slight fragrance was present. Mature seed capsules are round and 6.0-6.2 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

[0015] To confirm that LA17-54 was a new ornamental variety with storage roots, controlled tests (e.g., pathogen responses and yield) were conducted in Baton Rouge, La. 05-111 was selected for comparison because of its importance in commercial United States orange flesh sweetpotato acreage. Diseases that commonly affect the growth of sweetpotatoes were selected to test for pathogen responses in both varieties. LA17-54 and 05-111 were resistant to Fusarium wilt or stem rot caused by Fusarium oxysporum Schlect. f sp. batatas (Wollenw.) Snyd. & Hans.

[0016] Nematode reproduction was measured in greenhouse tests. LA17-54 and 05-111 were susceptible to race 3 of the southern root-knot nematode Meloidogyne incognita (Kofoid & White 1919) Chitwood 1949.

[0017] Storage roots have a storage life similar to 05-111. There are no data on shipping or storage root market use.

[0018] LA17-54 is drought and heat tolerant like 05-111 and succumbs to death at freezing like 05-111.

[0019] LA17-54 has not been tested for novel insect resistance.

[0020] To determine yield production, a complete-block trial using three replications of LA17-54 and 05-111 was conducted in 2018 in Louisiana. LA17-54 and 05-111 sweetpotato plants were transplanted in randomized complete-block trials at 31 cm spacings. Each block/plot was fertilized with approximately 250 pounds per acre of a mixed fertilizer comprising 13% N, 13% P.sub.2O.sub.5, and 13% K.sub.2O. LA17-54 was compared to 05-111 at a transplanting date in June. Average yields were measured for the following grades of roots: U.S. #1 (51-89 mm in diameter, 76-229 mm long); Canner (25-51 mm in diameter, 51-178 mm long); and Jumbo (larger than U.S. #1 in diameter, length or both, and without objectionable defects). A typical marketable root of LA17-54 was 180-190 mm long, 60-70 mm in diameter; mostly irregular and slightly elongate in shape. The base or distal end tended to be more elongated in comparison to slightly rounder apex (proximal end). U.S. #1 roots typically weighed 150-190 g.

[0021] A mid-season transplanting date trial was conducted at Gilbert, La. in 2018. LA17-54 and 05-111 were transplanted on Jun. 19, 2018 and harvested on Oct. 19, 2018 (123 days after planting). Average yields, measured as Metric Tons per Hectare (MT.Math.ha.sup.1), are shown for LA17-54 and 05-111 in Table 2.

TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 Mid-season transplant date yield trial. Selection US #1.sup. Canners Jumbos TMY.sup. LA17-54 6.35 a 11.23 a 0.00 a 17.57 a 05-111 10.98 a 11.23 a 0.00 a 22.21 a .sup.Average yields in MT .Math. ha.sup.1 of varieties followed by a common letter do not differ significantly (P < 0.05) according to Duncan's Multiple Range Test. TMV.sup. = total marketable yield

[0022] As shown in Tables 2, LA17-54 was less competitive in yield in comparison to 05-111 for the U.S. #1 grade and comparable for the canner grade. LA17-54 had harvestable roots approximately 120-130 days after planting, which is typical development time for sweetpotatoes and comparable to 05-111. LA17-54 is intended for the ornamental market. LA17-54 demonstrates fair yield in comparison to a commercial fresh-market variety.

[0023] LA17-54 should be a valuable commercial ornamental sweetpotato variety. LA17-54 has fair yield in comparison to 05-111 and represents a unique canopy type which produces edible red-copper skin, orange flesh roots.