Relationship between bud number in seed branches and yield aspects of sweet potato

ABSTRACT Planting sweet potato branches with the appropriate bud number and disposition, below and above ground, can favor vegetative growth and yield that better fit the marketable standards. This study aimed to explore the influence of the number of buds and their distribution ratio, above and below ground level, on the agronomic and marketable components of sweet potato tuberous roots. The experiment was carried out in a randomized complete block design with three replications. The treatments were arranged in a factorial scheme (3 x 5), with 2, 4, and 8 above-ground buds combined with 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 below-ground buds. Branches from the UZBD 06 accession (Canadense standard) were used. Vegetative, productive, and marketable traits of roots were evaluated. The use of branches with a greater number of buds above and below ground increased shoot dry biomass. Planting seed branches with 8 buds above and 8 buds below ground provided a greater number and production of marketable roots. The use of 10 buried buds increased root number and yield in the 150-450 g marketable classes, which the consumer market values the most.