
Plant Propagation is the art, science, and business of multiplying plants
Plant propagation is the method to increase the number of outstandingĀ fruit and crop varieties in order to perpetuate their desirable qualities such as high production, large fruits, andĀ excellent eating qualityāthose that command better market prices.
WAYS TO PROPAGATE PLANTS:Ā
⢠Sexual ā through the use of seeds (forĀ papaya, mangosteen, and for root stocksĀ for asexual propagation)
⢠Asexual ā through the use of plantĀ parts other than seeds. This does not
involve the exchange of genetic material,Ā so the process almost always produces
plants that are identical to the parent.
ADVANTAGE OF ASEXUAL PROPAGATION:
⢠Plants are true-to-type
⢠More rapid means of producing planting materials for crops such as
cassava, sweet potato, and other rootĀ crops
⢠Plants start fruiting in a shorter time than normal, and mature into smaller trees; hence they are easy to manage (e.g., grafted fruit trees)
ASEXUAL PROPAGATION METHODS FOR ROOT CROPS:Ā
⢠Divisions ā specialized or modified stems and roots are cut intoĀ pieces or sections, each with a growing point or bud.
⢠Micropropagation or tissue culture ā a tiny piece of bud, leafĀ or stem can produce incredible numbers of new plants in a smallĀ space over a short time period with the use of technical advances,Ā specialized equipment, and sterile laboratory conditions.
⢠Cuttings ā regeneration of structural parts in detachedĀ vegetative parts such as stem cuttings, leaf cuttings, root cuttings,Ā softwood, and hardwood cuttings.
STEM CUTTINGS FOR SWEET POTATO:
Sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas L. [Lam.]) is a dicotyledonousĀ plant that belongs to the family Convolvulaceae. It has large,Ā starchy, sweet-tasting tuberous roots that are cooked andĀ processed into human food such as starch, flour substitute, andĀ other delicacies. Its industrial uses include the production ofĀ alcohol and animal feed. Its young leaves and shoots are alsoĀ eaten as greens.
Besides containing simple starches,Ā sweet potatoes are rich in complexĀ carbohydrates, dietary fiber, betaĀ carotene (Vitamin A equivalent
nutrient), Vitamin C, and Vitamin B6.
Sweet potatoes are perennial vines thatĀ are propagated vegetatively, either byĀ shoots/vine cuttings or from tubes. TheyĀ are not grown from seeds. To propagateĀ with the use of cuttings, collect 25-30Ā centimeter (cm)-long vine cuttings fromĀ insect- and disease-free plants. UseĀ cuttings as soon as possible, but in caseĀ they need to be stored, keep vines moistĀ for 2-3 days in a cool and shaded place.
ENVIRONMENTAL REQUIREMENTS:
Sweet potatoes need full sunlight, well-drained soil (preferablyĀ sandy loam), and plenty of room to thrive. They are not heavyĀ feeders but require a good balance of nitrogen, potassium, andĀ phosphorus.
NURSERY ESTABLISHMENT:Ā Establish a nursery to propagateĀ selected sweet potato plants more rapidly.
LAND PREPARATION:Ā Plow and harrow the soil once whenĀ using a
tractor.Ā When usingĀ an animal drawnĀ implement,Ā plow onceĀ and harrow
twice.Ā MakeĀ furrowsĀ at 75 cmĀ distances.
PLANTING:Ā
ā¢PlantĀ the vineĀ cuttingsĀ vertically orĀ at a slightĀ incline toĀ the soil.
⢠Plant in ridges during the rainy season and in furrows during the dry season; maintain a spacing of 30 cm between hills.
⢠Replant missing hills 1-2 weeks after planting.
FERTILIZATION:
ā¢Apply well decomposedĀ manure orĀ compost atĀ the rate ofĀ 10-15 bagsĀ per hectare, ifĀ necessary.
⢠Apply six bags of complete fertilizer (14-14-14) per hectare along rows
and cover withĀ a thin layerĀ of soil beforeĀ cuttings areĀ planted.
IRRIGATION:Ā
⢠Water the field just after planting if the soil is dry.
⢠During the dry season, water the plants regularly or during the first 2 months after planting and when needed.
⢠Provide drainage because sweet potato is sensitive to water logging.
WEEDING/CULTIVATION:Ā
ā¢Control weeds, especially Ipomoea triloba (ākamokamotehanā)Ā during the first 2 months after planting.
⢠Off-bar 3-4 weeks after planting and hill-up 2-4 weeks later.
INSECT PEST AND DISEASE MANAGEMENT:
ā¢Sweet potato weevil is a major problem in tuber productionĀ during the dry season. It attacks both the vine and fleshyĀ roots.
⢠Plant early to avoid the peak of the weevil population during summer.
⢠Choose sandy loam soil and avoid clayey soil which develops cracks through which weevils enter.
⢠Use clean or uninfested planting materials.
⢠Dip planting materials in insecticide before planting to reduce infestation.
⢠Practice crop rotation or the planting of two other crops, one after the other, following sweet potato.
⢠Use sex pheromone traps to attract males and reduce we evil population. Use chemicals only as a last resort.
The sweet potato vines will be ready for gathering 3-4 monthsĀ after planting.
(Antonio Lalusin, Edwin del Rosario,
Laureano Lanosia Jr., Marilyn Beltran-PCARD/IPB
Information Bulletin)
This story appeared in Agriculture Monthly’s May 2014 issue.Ā