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Opportunities to Breed Diverse Sweetpotato Varieties for California Organic Production

Author

Listed:
  • Travis Parker

    (Department of Plant Sciences, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA)

  • Kristyn Leach

    (Namu Farm, Winters, CA 95694, USA)

  • C. Scott Stoddard

    (University of California Cooperative Extension, Merced County, Merced, CA 95341, USA)

  • Laura Roser

    (Department of Plant Sciences, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA)

  • Antonia Palkovic

    (Department of Plant Sciences, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA)

  • Troy Williams

    (Department of Plant Sciences, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA)

  • Sassoum Lo

    (Department of Plant Sciences, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA)

  • Paul Gepts

    (Department of Plant Sciences, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA)

  • Don La Bonte

    (AgCenter School of Plant, Environmental and Soil Sciences, Louisiana State University AgCenter, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA)

  • Ga Young Chung

    (Department of Asian American Studies, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA)

  • E. Charles Brummer

    (Department of Plant Sciences, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA)

Abstract

Sweetpotatoes are a major crop in California, ranking sixth in value among organic commodities in the state. In recent years, there has been growing consumer interest in diverse specialty varieties, particularly purple types and those associated with Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities, some of which are currently imported into the state. In this study, we screened 45 diverse sweetpotato varieties and breeding lines under California organic conditions in a preliminary characterization of their agronomic performance. We then conducted culinary evaluations with a tasting panel of students primarily identifying as Asian/Asian American to determine the preference for each type in terms of flavor and culinary appeal. Our results indicated that major tradeoffs exist among existing germplasm, with no variety or line excelling across all agronomic and culinary traits. These results suggest that sweetpotato breeding could be an effective mechanism to combine superior agronomic traits of major commercial classes with the high culinary quality of diverse materials that are not adapted to California organic production. These results provide a strong justification for the value of sweetpotato breeding to ultimately promote a more profitable, sustainable, and just food system in the region.

Suggested Citation

  • Travis Parker & Kristyn Leach & C. Scott Stoddard & Laura Roser & Antonia Palkovic & Troy Williams & Sassoum Lo & Paul Gepts & Don La Bonte & Ga Young Chung & E. Charles Brummer, 2023. "Opportunities to Breed Diverse Sweetpotato Varieties for California Organic Production," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 13(12), pages 1-15, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jagris:v:13:y:2023:i:12:p:2191-:d:1286062
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Tsu, Cecilia M., 2013. "Garden of the World: Asian Immigrants and the Making of Agriculture in California's Santa Clara Valley," OUP Catalogue, Oxford University Press, number 9780199734788.
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