Title
Developing and deploying non- And low-sweet sweetpotato cultivars for expanding markets
Date Issued
01 January 2019
Access level
metadata only access
Resource Type
conference paper
Author(s)
Carey E.
Swanckaert J.
Dery E.
Akansake D.
Saaka J.
Abidin P.
Adofo K.
Baafi E.
Acheremu K.
Adu-Kwarteng E.
Muzhingi T.
Low J.
Grüneberg W.
Publisher(s)
International Society for Horticultural Science
Abstract
A major objective of breeding at the Sweetpotato Support Platform for West Africa in Ghana, is the development of non-sweet cultivars suitable for use as staple foods, or in fried and other processed products. This priority was set during stakeholder consultations when establishing the program, and is based on the opinion that sweetness constrains the potential for greater uptake and enhanced value-addition of sweetpotato in West Africa. Similar efforts are underway at the International Potato Center's headquarters in Lima, Peru. Moreover, studies indicate that urban consumers in many countries are increasingly health conscious and are seeking out products with low sugar contents. Initial breeding efforts in Ghana focused on adaptation to the lowland tropical West African environments where sweetpotato virus disease pressure is high and rains can be uncertain. Populations include a range of flesh colors, including β-carotene-rich orange-fleshed, anthocyanin-rich purple-fleshed, and yellow- and white-fleshed genotypes, with generally high dry matter content (>30%). Consumer sensory panels conducted at the village level consistently rate the majority of advanced selections highly with respect to texture, taste, aroma and appearance, though these contain varying levels of sugars and perceived sweetness. Recent and current efforts focus on better characterizing non- and low-sweet selections, and developing strategies for their dissemination, particularly through urban market segments. Sugar content in cooked or processed sweetpotato is influenced by various factors, including the sugar content prior to cooking, the method of cooking, and the levels of amylase activity during cooking, which can significantly increase maltose levels. Storage interval can significantly influence sugar content and amylase activity. Elite, non-sweet genotypes with low or null β-amylase activity are present among released cultivars and advanced selections in Ghana, and have excellent quality both in steamed and fried forms. Marketing research efforts build on previous successful experiences promoting and marketing the orange-fleshed sweetpotato, and include branding these new quality types with a distinct name.
Start page
181
End page
188
Volume
1251
Language
English
OCDE Knowledge area
Horticultura, Viticultura Alimentos y bebidas
Scopus EID
2-s2.0-85073626125
ISSN of the container
05677572
Conference
Acta Horticulturae
Source funding
CSIR-Central Institute of Mining and Fuel Research
Sponsor(s)
Many thanks to the myriad of colleagues who have assisted with development of the sweetpotato germplasm described here, and to the Sweetpotato Action for Security and Health in Africa (SASHA) project which supported the work. Generous hosting of the CIP breeding program by the CSIR Crops Research Institute and CSIR Savanna Agricultural Research Institute is also appreciated, as is support by the CGIAR Research Program on Roots, Tubers and Bananas, which provided a home for this breeding effort.
Sources of information: Directorio de Producción Científica Scopus