Induction of flowering in the sweet potato

Induction of flowering in the sweet potato

1959

A:PS

A technique for the induction of flowering in the sweet potato at any time of the year has been described. Floral induction was obtained when sweet potato scions were grafted on eight out of nine related species from three genera of Convolvulaceae (morning glory). At high temperatures (86 - 105 F), a short photoperiod is essential for flowering of the morning glory. Therefore, exposure of the donor to a short photoperiod is essential to obtain floral induction in the sweet potato at high temperature. Wide differences among different species were observed with respect to effectiveness of inducing the sweet potato to flower. Some species were very effective during the summer but of no value in the fall and winter and even produced an inhibitory effect on the growth of the sweet potato scion. The percentage of successful grafts varied considerably with different graft combinations at different seasons of the year. This variation seems to be related in some way to the flowering behavior of the donor. by selecting the appropriate morning glory species, and adusting the photoperiod, the plant breeder should be able to induce any variety of sweet potato to flower during any season of the year. With knowledge of the number of days required for the opening of the first flower after grafting, the flowering time of the sweet potato can also be predicted. [AS]

v.73:453-462, AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR HORTICULTURAL SCIENCE, PROCEEDINGS

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