Improving Biomass Yield and Root Production in Sweetpotato using Vine Cuttings from Different Plant Sections

Sweetpotato (Ipomoea batatas) is a versatile and underutilized crop with significant potential for food security and economic development.An experiment was conducted in the early planting season of 2022 to investigate the effects of different vegetative cuttings on the growth and yield of sweetpotato varieties in Nigeria.Treatments were three different vegetative cuttings (terminal, sub-terminal, and basal stem cuttings).Results indicate that sub-terminal stem cuttings consistently promoted increased leaf production and branch formation compared to other cuttings.Terminal stem cuttings exhibited longer vine lengths but did not significantly differ in biomass yield.However, they resulted in higher root numbers, highlighting their potential for root development.These findings contribute to our understanding of vegetative propagation methods and can inform agricultural practices aimed at improving sweetpotato production and food security in Nigeria and beyond.