Title: Vegetative Assessments of PT Sweetpotato Demonstration at Kopafo

Title: Vegetative assessments of PT Sweetpotato demonstration at Kopafo

Introduction

The vegetative assessments of the Pathogen tested (PT) sweetpotato demonstrated at Kopafoproject sites was conducted on the 7th to 10th of April 2014 after its initial planting dated (19/02/14). Theassessment was scaled in percentage for the ground cover, leaf and vine scab, drought reduction and virus symptoms.This was done basically to observe and documents the establishment status of each sweetpotato varieties in the respective garden sites so that that can assist to evaluate the results during harvest.

The following is the report for the vegetative assessment conducted.

Objective

To assess the vegetative responses of the PT sweetpotato especially the ground cover, leaf and vine scab, drought reduction and virus symptoms after six weeks of planting.

Materials and Method

Prior to the assessment, farmers were informed for which day was scheduled for their garden visits. Since there were seven selected farmers, they were divided into three groups which gave enough time for assessment.The observation was scaled and documented using the guard sheet below. GPS points were plotted at each farmer’s residence and their garden for social mapping. Photographs were also was taken in the respective garden of the farmers.

L e a f & V i n e S c a b S c a l e : 1-5 as a reflection of per cent of leaf and stem area affected by scab.  1-highly resistance (0 % damage)

 2. Resistance (1-25 % damage)

 3. Moderate resistance (26-50 % damage)

 4. Susceptible (51-75 % damage) and

 5. Highly susceptible (> 75% damage).

Ground cover assessment

Estimated percentage of ground cover recorded 35-40 days after planting S c a l e :  3- Low (<50%)  5- Medium (<50-74%)

 7- High (<75-90%)

 9- Total (>90%)

3. Drought reduction

Scale:

1. – Very low

3. – Low

5. – Intermediate

7 – High

9 – Very high

Biotic stress susceptibility

 FMV

o Common strain

o Russet crack strain

o Internal cork strain

 SPMMV

 SPVMV

 SPVD

Scale:

1Very low

5 Intermediate

7 High

9 Very high

Results The observations are documented and tabulated as follows.

No FARMER GARDEN SP VARIETY VEGETATIVE ASSESSMENTS SITE Ground Leaf & Vine Drought Virus No. of SP tips Cover Scab Reduction Symptoms died % (3-9) % (1-5) (1-9) (1-9) 1 tip 2 tips 1 Magret Tisa Dry Marasunda 75-90 0 1 1 0 0 season- (KNT) planting Northern Star 50-74 0 5 1 2 0 2 Mack Amos Wet Marasunda 75-90 0 1 1 1 0 season- (KNT) planting Whagi Besta 50-74 0 5 1 1 0 3 Ebuga Enoch Wet Sinato (GKA) 75-90 0 1 1 0 0 season- planting Wanmun 75-90 0 1 1 1 0 4 Huneto Tenike Wet Beauregard 50 0 7 1 4 1 season- Marasunda planting 50-74 0 5 1 5 0 (GKA) 5 Haheroto Tenike Wet Sinato (GKA) >90 0 1 1 0 0 season- Whagi Besta planting >90 0 1 3 0 0 Minj 2 6 Dick Mofare Dry Marasunda 75-90 0 5 1 5 0 season- (GKA) planting Tambul Mal 75-90 0 5 1 3 2 7 Michael Sasame Dry Beauregard >90 0 5 1 7 3 season- planting Wanmun 75-90 0 5 1 5 7 There were several photographs have been taken during the assessment of which three are shown below.In fig.1 virus symptoms of purpling spots have shown on the leaf edge of Whagi BestaMinj 2 in one of the garden sitesusually planted in wet season. For figure 2 and 3, there was high drought reduction and ground cover.

Fig 1.Virus symptoms (purpling spots) Fig 2.Drought reduction Fig 3. High ground cover

The GPS points were yet to be finalized with the help of the GIS officer.

Discussion and conclusion

The ground cover at each of the garden sites were generally high inferring good vine establishment of the respective PT materials of SP cultivars with highly resistance of leaf and vine scab hence low infestation, very low virus symptoms except Whagi Besta Minj 2 and low drought reduction. However the number of plants died was high especially in Dick Mofare, Huneto Tenike and Michael Sasame garden sites. The most probable cause that was identified were; stealing of the planting materials by other people, no rain for a week after planting and cattle via a broken fence damaged planting materials. Prior to that, the delay of collecting the prepared planting materials at Aiyura had reduced the chance of establishment which eventually caused the plants to die especially in the wet planting season areas.

In conclusion, the general growth performance of the sweetpotato is extremely well.