Association between agronomic characters and hay quality of sweet potato branches

ABSTRACT From the perspective of the use of sweet potato branches for animal feed, there is a lack of information on the influence of this action on hay quality. Therefore, the objective was to study the association of sweet potato yield attributes with chemical-bromatological characteristics of hay. Ten sweet potato clones were evaluated, conducted in randomized blocks with five replications. Green and dry mass yield, dry mass content, leaf and stem ratio, total and commercial root yield, and chemical and bromatological characteristics of hay from the branches were determined. Phenotypic correlation and trial analysis between characteristics were estimated. Selection for the highest yield of roots and commercial roots may provide increased hay of crude protein, neutral detergent fiber and acid and total soluble sugars. However, selection for the highest root yield has a negative effect on the starch content of hay and deserves special attention from the breeder.