In vitro Regeneration of Sweet Potato (Ipomea batatas (L.) Lam.) from Node Explants
N. C. Onwubiko *
Department of Crop Science and Technology, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Nigeria.
C. Ijeoma Ihezie
Biotechnology programme, National Root Crops Research Institute, Umudike, Nigeria.
M. U. Mozie
Department of Crop Science and Technology, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Investigations on in vitro clonal propagation of sweet potato (Ipomea batatas (L.) Lam.) were carried out at tissue culture laboratory of National Root Crops Research Institute, Umudike, Abia State, Nigeria. Ipomea batatas variety 440293 used was maintained in a culture room at 28 ±2°C under a 16 h photoperiod provided by white florescent tubes (60 µmo/lm-2s-1). Phytohormones- α-naphthaleneactic acid (NAA) at different concentrations and 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) at 2 mg/l were used for the study. Summarily, data collected on the assessed growth parameters of the explants as tested with F test and t test showed that both the different levels of NAA and the number of weeks of application significantly (P< 0.05) enhanced in vitro production of sweet potato.
Keywords: Sweet potato, Ipomea batatas, in vitro regeneration