Resistance of Sweet Potato to Virus Complex1

A core-graft transmission method has been used successfully for rapid screening of sweet potato ( Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam) for resistance to sweet potato virus complex (SPVD). Field test scores of resistance to SPVD were significantly correlated with core-graft test scores (r = 0.60). A high broad sense heritability estimate of 0.95 ± 0.02 for resistance to SPVD was computed based on the core-graft test for 24 cultivars tested in one year, while a lower broad sense heritability (h 2 = 0.48 ± 0.02) was estimated based on the field test for the same cultivars (except one) conducted at four locations for three years. Broad sense heritability estimates from diallel crosses ranged from 0.82 ± 0.02 to 0.98 ± 0.19. ‘TIS 2498,’ ‘TIS 3228,’ ‘TIS 3053,’ ‘TIS 2544’ and ‘TIS 2534’ sweet potato were resistant to SPVD.