Sweetpotato plant named ‘LA13-81’

Abstract

A new variety of sweetpotato, identified as LA13-81, is disclosed having disease resistance to both Fusarium wilt and Streptomyces soil rot; an orange flesh storage root and deep red-purple skin, and high yield characteristics.

Claims

1. A new and distinct variety of Ipomoea batatas plant named LA13-81 as described and illustrated in the specification herein.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is a color photograph of the fleshy root form of the novel variety of sweetpotato identified as LA13-81.

(2) FIG. 2 is a color photograph of the fleshy root form of the sweetpotato variety identified as 05-111.

(3) FIG. 3 is a color photograph of the canopy biomass of the novel variety of sweetpotato identified as LA13-81.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

(4) This new variety of sweetpotato, named LA13-81, resulted from an open-pollinated cross performed in 2012 to the patented female parent Bonita (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 22,719 P3). The male parent was unknown. Five patented male parents (05-111 patented U.S. Plant Pat. No. 23,761 P3; Evangeline patented U.S. Plant Pat. No. 19,710 P3; LA06-52 patented U.S. Plant Pat. No. 26,735 P3; 07-146 U.S. Plant Pat. No. 23,785 P3; LA04-175 U.S. Plant Pat. No. 25,308 P3) were among the potential pollen sources in the crossing nursery. LA13-81 was developed to provide a variety with characteristics similar to 05-111, but with a red-purple skin. The female parent Bonita has white fleshed storage roots.

(5) Plants of LA13-81 and variety 05-111 can be differentiated. Abaxial and axial veins of LA13-81 are red purple [5 R (red) P (purple) (2/6)]. 05-111 has no red hue to veins. Roots of LA13-81 are a deep red-purple skin and can be differentiated from the light tan of the female parent Bonita (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 22,719 P3). 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 LA13-81.

(6) LA13-81 roots were stored during the winter in Chase, La. LA13-81 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.

(7) FIG. 1 depicts the fleshy root form of the LA13-81 sweetpotato. The skin is a deep red-purple 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 LA13-81 and 05-111 storage roots are shown in Table 1. The 05-111 sweetpotato is depicted in FIG. 2. The skin for both LA13-81 and 05-111 was smooth. The LA13-81 cortex was 3.3 mm in depth and the color similar throughout. The flesh of LA13-81 is similar in comparison to 05-111.

(8) TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Variable Variety Color Skin LA13-81 7.5 R (red) P (purple) 3/8 05-111 2.5 Y (yellow) R (red) 6/6 Flesh LA13-81 5 Y (yellow) R (red) 7/14 05-111 2.5 Y (yellow) R (red) 7/8

(9) FIG. 3 depicts the canopy biomass of LA13-81 sweetpotato. Stems of LA13-81 are green and remain unchanged [2.5 G (green) Y (yellow) (6/8)] except for an underlying red-purple hue [2.5 R (red) P (purple) (5/6)]. The LA13-81 canopy biomass appears similar to 05-111. The LA13-81 canopy architecture was spreading and average (15-20) cm in height from the soil surface and comparable to 05-111. For LA13-81, three to four main vines arose from the main stem near the soil surface. The stem giving rise to these vines was 2 cm in diameter; the 3-4 lateral vines were 294 cm in length with diameters of about 0.6 cm at 65 cm from the base and diameters of about 0.8 cm at the first internode of the first fully developed leaf from the apex. The spread is comparable to 05-111 and average. Seventeen lateral branches arose from each of the main vines. At the first internode from the apex, the internode length was about 4 cm between the first and second fully developed leaves. Internode lengths for other sections of the vine averaged about 4.1 cm. Unfolded immature leaves were green [2.5 G (green) Y (yellow) (4/6)] for the adaxial and abaxial surface, which change nominally over one to two nodes from the apex for the adaxial surface to a slightly lighter green lower surface [5 G (green) Y (yellow) (5/4)]. Anthocyanin pigmentation and pubescence were absent. Mature leaves at five nodes from the apex had an acute apex and mostly a cordate base and an entire leaf margin. Some leaves are shallow tricuspid. Mature leaves were about 9.2 cm long and 9.4 cm wide. Adaxial and abaxial veins were in a pinnate venation pattern and small in extent of purple [5 R (red) P (purple) (4/4)] pigmentation. Abaxial and adaxial surfaces were smooth. The petiole was green [2.5 G (green) Y (yellow) (5/6)]. A red-purple [5 R (red) P (purple) (2/6)] marking was at the base of the leaf junction with the petiole. The petiole was 8.2 cm long at five nodes from the apex, and 3.3 mm in diameter at 5 cm from the leaf junction. The dormant nodal meristem has slight red-purple marking [5 R (red) P (purple) (4/10)] which appears redder than the base of the leaf junction

(10) A typical inflorescence of LA13-81 displayed one cluster of three-five flowers per peduncle. Peduncles were green [10 G (green) Y (yellow) (5/8)], about 9 cm long, and about 3 mm in diameter. Individual flowers were about 3 cm long from the base of the calyx, and the corolla was 3 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 R (red) P (purple) (4/6)]. The inner and outer limbs of the corolla (corollas outermost area, distal from the calyx) were light purple [10 P (purple) (7/4)]. The five sepals comprising the calyx were elliptic with a cordate apex and was green [2.5 G (green) Y (yellow) (5/6)]; three of these sepals were about 12 mm long and 4.7 mm wide. Two other sepals (interspersed) were about 10 mm long and 3 mm wide. Sepal margins were entire. Stigmata were about 1.2 cm long and light purple [7.5R (red) P (purple) (8/4)] at the base before fading. Five stamens were inferior to the stigmata. A slight fragrance was present. Mature seed capsules are round and 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

(11) Tests Conducted

(12) To confirm that LA13-81 was a new variety, 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. Scions of LA13-81 and 05-111 reacted similarly to most diseases evaluated in the controlled tests. LA13-81 was resistant and 05-111 was intermediate to resistant for Streptomyces soil rot caused by Streptomyces ipomoeae (Person & W. J. Martin) Waksman & Henrici. LA13-81 and 05-111 were resistant to Fusarium wilt or stem rot caused by Fusarium oxysporum Schlect. f sp. batatas (Wollenw.) Snyd. & Hans. LA13-81 was intermediate and 05-111 was resistant to Rhizopus soft rot caused by Rhizopus stolonifer (Ehr. ex. Fr.) Lind. LA13-81 was intermediate and 05-111 was susceptible to bacterial root rot caused by Dickeya dadantii Samson et al. as measured by postharvest inoculation of storage roots.

(13) Nematode reproduction was measured in greenhouse tests. LA13-81 and 05-111 were very susceptible to race 3 of the southern root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne incognita (Kofoid & White 1919) Chitwood 1949.

(14) LA13-81 is drought and heat tolerant like 05-111 and succumbs to death at freezing like 05-111.

(15) LA13-81 did not appear to show any novel insect resistance. LA13-81 has consistently ranked lower in banded cucumber beetle (Diabrotica balteata LeConte) in comparison to 05-111 in 2017 and 2018 trials.

(16) To determine yield production, complete-block trials using three to four replications of LA13-81 and 05-111 each were conducted in 2016 and 2017 in areas of Louisiana, Mississippi, Arkansas, California and South Carolina likely to produce LA13-81. LA13-81 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. LA13-81 was compared to 05-111 at transplanting dates in May-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 LA13-81 was 180-190 mm long, 60-70 mm in diameter, with mostly elliptic 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.

(17) A mid-season transplanting date trial was conducted at Senatobia, Miss. in 2017. LA13-81 and 05-111 were transplanted on May 24, 2017 and harvested on Sep. 19, 2017 (118 days after planting). Average yields, measured as Metric Tons per Hectare (MT.Math.ha.sup.1), for LA13-81 and 05-111 are shown in Table 2.

(18) TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 Mid-season transplant date yield trial. Selection US#1.sup. Canners.sup. Jumbos.sup. TMY.sup. LA13-81 58.49a 21.24a 0.00a 79.45a 05-111 32.26a 16.87a 4.15a 52.22a .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. TMY.sup. = total marketable yield

(19) A mid-season transplanting date trial was also conducted at Wynne, Ark. in 2017. LA13-81 and 05-111 were transplanted on Jun. 6, 2017 and harvested on Oct. 26, 2017 (121 days after planting). Average yields, measured as Metric Tons per Hectare (MT.Math.ha.sup.1), for LA13-81 and 05-111 are shown in Table 3.

(20) TABLE-US-00003 TABLE 3 Mid-season transplant date yield trial. Selection US#1.sup. Canners.sup. Jumbos.sup. TMY.sup. LA13-81 23.53a 20.45a 4.26a 48.19a 05-111 24.42a 10.81a 26.22b 61.41b .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. TMY.sup. = total marketable yield

(21) An early-season transplanting date trial was also conducted at Windsor, S.C. in 2017. LA13-81 and 05-111 were transplanted on May 18, 2017 and harvested on Nov. 11, 2017 (174 days after planting). Average yields, measured as Metric Tons per Hectare (MT.Math.ha.sup.1), for LA13-81 and 05-111 are shown in Table 4.

(22) TABLE-US-00004 TABLE 4 Early-season transplant date yield trial. Selection US#1.sup. Canners.sup. Jumbos.sup. TMY.sup. LA13-81 35.07a 10.65a 0a 45.72a 05-111 29.92a 24.26a 0a 54.12a .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. TMY.sup. = total marketable yield

(23) A mid-season transplanting date trial was also conducted at Forest, La. in 2016. LA13-81 and 05-111 were transplanted on May 31, 2016 and harvested on Oct. 29, 2016 (122 days after planting). Average yields, measured as Metric Tons per Hectare (MT.Math.ha.sup.1), for LA13-81 and 05-111 are shown in Table 5.

(24) TABLE-US-00005 TABLE 5 Mid-season transplant date yield trial. Selection US#1.sup. Canners.sup. Jumbos.sup. TMY.sup. LA13-81 22.13a 10.98a 1.29a 34.4a 05-111 22.36a 13.78a 7.68a 43.82a .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. TMY.sup. = total marketable yield

(25) An early-season transplanting date trial was also conducted at Livingston, Calif. in 2016. LA13-81 and 05-111 were transplanted on May 18, 2016 and harvested on Oct. 14, 2017 (149 days after planting). Average yields, measured as Metric Tons per Hectare (MT.Math.ha.sup.1), for LA13-81 and 05-111 are shown in Table 6.

(26) TABLE-US-00006 TABLE 6 Early-season transplant date yield trial. Selection US#1.sup. Canners.sup. Jumbos.sup. TMY.sup. LA13-81 26.63a 9.77a 15.77a 52.16a 05-111 29.09a 7.80b 10.95a 47.84a .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. TMY.sup. = total marketable yield

(27) As shown in Tables 2-6, LA13-81 produced yields comparable to 05-111 in regional trials at various planting dates. Yield in comparison to 05-111 in heavier silt loam soil (Table 5) were similar to outcomes in lighter, sandy loam soils (Tables 1, 2, 3, 4 and 6). Replicated plots at other farms and on station have shown LA13-81 has consistent yields for early, middle, or late season plantings. Yield declines are within norms in poor environments. LA13-81 had harvestable roots approximately 115-120 days after planting, which is typical development time for sweetpotatoes and comparable to 05-111. The yield of Jumbo grade is indicative of earliness and LA13-81 was similar to the jumbo yield of 05-111. In total, this data reflects consistent high yield characteristics for LA13-81. LA13-81 has a storage life and shipping quality comparable to 05-111.

(28) LA13-81 should be a valuable commercial sweetpotato variety. LA13-81 equals yield for US #1 and total marketable yield in comparison to 05-111 and represents a novel skin color useful in marketing as a specialty type red in premium retail environments.