Clone and Growth Season Effects on Seven Carbohydrate-related Components and Their Correlation in Sweetpotato

• Published in: HortScience Vol. 33; no. 3; p. 456
• Main Authors: Xiang, Yu, Collins, Wanda W
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 01.06.1998
• ISSN: 0018-5345; 2327-9834
• DOI: 10.21273/HORTSCI.33.3.456a

Approximately 50% of the world's total sweetpotato output is used for producing starch or starch-derived products and for animal feeding. Knowledge of cultivar and environmental effects on carbohydrate-related components and the correlation among these components is essential for improving the raw products utilization and providing an expanded market for sweetpotato. The objective of this study was to investigate the variation of amylose content and β-amylase activity as well as their correlation with other starch-related components. Dry matter, starch, total sugar, amylose and phosphate content, β-amylase activity, and raw starch digestibility were evaluated for 20 advanced selections in 2 years. Significant clone variation was detected for all seven components. Significant growth season effects were found for amylose and sugar content, β-amylase activity, and starch digestibility. β-amylase activity has a negative correlation with starch ( r = –0.57, P ≤ 0.001) and dry matter ( r = –0.39, P ≤ 0.05). Starch digestibility has a negative correlation with amylose ( r = –0.37, P ≤ 0.05) and phosphate content ( r = –0.35, P ≤ 0.05).