Caracterização de genótipos de batata-doce para processamento industrial em função de diferentes épocas de colheita

Abstract

Sweet potato is a strategic crop for food security and agricultural development, with increasing economic importance in Brazil. This study aimed to characterize sweet potato genotypes for industrial processing at different harvest times. The experiments were conducted at the Experimental Field of the Center for Development and Technology Transfer (CDTT/UFLA), located in Ijaci, MG, using a 15x3x2 factorial arrangement. Fifteen genotypes were evaluated, including ten experimental lines (UFLA 1404, UFLA 286, UFLA 1192, UFLA 1074, UFLA 397, UFLA 1377, UFLA 527, UFLA 210, UFLA 516, and UFLA 1476) and five commercial cultivars (UFLA R1440, UFLA B556, BRS Rubissol, BRS Amélia, and BRS Cotinga), at three harvest times (90, 120, and 150 days after planting- DAP). The experiments were carried out in 2023 and 2024, following a randomized block design with three replications. Each experiment comprised two stages. In the first stage, conducted in the field, the following traits were evaluated: commercial root yield (CRY), dry mass yield of commercial roots (DMYCR), dry mass content of commercial roots (DMCCR), average mass of commercial roots (AMCR), and root shape. In the second stage, performed in the laboratory, the proximate composition of the roots collected in the field was analyzed, determining the contents of moisture, dry matter, crude protein, ash, lipids, crude fiber, nitrogen-free extract, total soluble solids, starch, and minerals. Data analysis was performed using R software, applying mixed linear models (MLM) for regression and BLUPs (Best Linear Unbiased Predictions) for genotype prediction. The results revealed significant genetic variability and interactions among genotypes, harvest times, and crop years. Cultivar UFLA R1440 and genotypes UFLA 1404 and UFLA 1192 stood out in terms of commercial root yield (CRY). Cultivar UFLA R1440 and genotypes UFLA 1404, UFLA 397, and UFLA 1192 showed the highest values for dry mass yield of commercial roots (DMYCR). For average mass of commercial roots (AMCR), cultivars UFLA R1440 and UFLA B556, along with genotype UFLA 1192, performed best. Regarding root shape, UFLA 516 and BRS Cotinga were notable. For dry mass content of commercial roots (DMCCR), the best performances were observed in genotypes UFLA 1404, UFLA 527, and UFLA 1377, as well as in cultivars BRS Cotinga, UFLA B556, UFLA R1440, and BRS Amélia. For lipids, genotype UFLA 210 stood out, and for soluble solids, genotype UFLA 1192. Among minerals, genotype UFLA 1192 presented the highest levels of nitrogen, phosphorus, and zinc; UFLA 1074 stood out for nitrogen; UFLA 1377 for potassium, calcium, sulfur, boron, and magnesium; UFLA 1476 for calcium and magnesium; UFLA 286 for calcium, sulfur, and boron; and cultivar BRS Cotinga for calcium. Conversely, genotype UFLA 1404 consistently showed low values for several minerals. The most relevant genotypic correlations were observed between starch x DMCCR and DMCCR x CRY, reinforcing the positive association between dry mass content and yield. These results indicate that cultivar UFLA R1440 and genotypes UFLA 1404 and UFLA 1192 combine desirable productive and qualitative attributes, demonstrating high potential for both industrial use and fresh consumption.