Variability of Morphological Characters in the Sweet Potato [Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam.] Varieties under Barbados Agro-climatic Conditions

The morphological variability in 27 varieties of sweet potato [Ipomoea batatas(L.) Lam] under Barbados agro-climatic conditions were evaluated The aim of his study was to assess the range of variability and segregation pattern for different morphological characters recorded as well as the moisture, dry matter and ascorbic acid content analyzed. Twenty-five descriptors were used in the morphological characterization under three categories viz., vine, leaf, and storage root characters of sweet potato vines and great morphological variability recorded among the vine characters and leaf outlines and in storage roots highest variability was recorded in shape, size, skin color, and flesh color. The dendrograms were obtained using the 25 descriptors separated the twenty-seven varieties into two major clusters with a Euclidean distance ranging between 0.6–1.0 using complete link. A positive correlation was observed between light flesh color (cream and white) varieties and dry matter content with only few exceptions.  Dry matter content is one of the important trait for consumer preference in the market.