Influence of growing seasons on sweet potato genotype selection for animal feeding

Environmental conditions significantly impact the performance of sweet potato genotypes, necessitating the study of genotype x environment (GE) interactions to select genotypes adaptable to varying cultivation conditions. This study aimed to assess GE interactions in sweet potatoes for animal feed and identify high-performance genotypes suitable for different seasons. We conducted two tests during the Brazilian winter of 2019 and summer of 2020. Employing a partially balanced triple lattice experimental design with 100 treatments (92 sweet potato genotypes and eight controls) and three replications, we measured vine green matter yield (VGMY), percentage vine dry matter (PVDM), vine dry matter yield (VDMY), percentage of root dry matter (PRDM), and roots dry matter yield (RDMY). We ranked genotypes, highlighting the best performers for individual and combined seasons. Significant differences in VGMY, PRDM, and RDMY were observed for GE interaction. VGMY, VDMY, and PRDM favored the summer season, while PVDM and RDMY performed better in the winter season. Genotypes 2018-31-713, 2018-72-1438, 2018-31-666, 2018-12-252, 2018-19-461, 2018-19-389, 2018-38-946, 2018-31-689, and 2018-37-864 proved most suitable for VGMY and VDMY across growing seasons. Genotypes 2018-28-514, 2018-15-268, and 2018-19-443 demonstrated potential in percentage vine dry matter. Genotypes 2018-31-666, 2018-72-1438, and 2018-15-277 are recommended for PRDM in both seasons. Genotypes 2018-19-464, 2018-28-556, 2018-55-1154, 2018-28-543, 2018-53-1038, 2018-72-1432, and 2018-19-443 exhibited greater potential for RDMY, making them ideal for animal feed in both growing seasons.