Short-duration Presprouting, Ethephon, and Cutting Increase Plant Production by Sweetpotato Roots

Abstract

Sweetpotato [ Ipomoea batatas (L.)] plants were harvested earlier following immersion of roots in 1500 mg ethephon/liter for 10 minutes or cut transversely 1 to 2 cm from the proximal end before bedding than when roots were not treated. Combined ethephon and cutting treatments did not promote earlier harvests than either applied separately. Presprouting for 10 days reduced the time to first plant harvest from whole or cut roots of `Georgia Red', but not from roots of `Georgia Jet'. Immersion in ethephon increased the number of early and total plants produced by both cultivars. Short-duration presprouting and cutting of roots increased the number of early and total plants produced by `Georgia Red', but not by `Georgia Jet'. Total plant production was increased by cutting non-presprouted roots that had been immersed in ethephon. Cutting did not significantly increase total plant production from presprouted roots, but immersion in ethephon increased total number of plants produced from presprouted whole roots. Plant weight and deterioration of the bedded roots during plant propagation were not influenced by treatments. Chemical name used: (2-chloroethyl)phosphonic acid (ethephon).