Selection for Low Fiber Content in Sweet Potato1

Six sweet potato ( Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam.) lines with a wide range of objectionable fiber content were grown in one location in 1976 and in 2 locations in 1977 to study factors influencing the expression of that trait. We failed to identify environmental factors that would enhance expression of objectionable fiber but did find that large roots tended to have more objectionable fiber than did smaller roots. All roots of high fiber lines did not express objectionable amounts. About 10 US #1 but only 4 jumbo roots of each line would have to be evaluated to have a 95% probability of observing objectionable fiber in high fiber lines. However, Jumbo, US #1 and canning sizes all led to the same relative rankings of lines. Subjective evaluations of baked roots were as effective as objective laboratory tests and could be obtained concurrent with other necessary baking evaluations.