Use of selection index in identification of sweet potato genotypes with different aptitude

This study aimed to identify the aptitude of sweet potato genotypes for cultivation in the South Central region of Parana State, Brazil. Forty genotypes, 37 of the Germplasm Bank of UNICENTRO, 2 cultivars of the Federal University of Tocantins and 1 commercial cultivar from EMBRAPA were evaluated using aptitude index for three purposes: production of ethanol, food and animal feed. For the characteristics considered relevant for aptitude indication, as overall productivity of roots, marketable production of roots, dry weight of roots, starch yield, fresh weight of the aboveground part and dry weight of the aboveground part were given different weights. Among the 40 genotypes, three had multiple aptitudes (food, animal feed and ethanol production), three had double aptitude and six had only one of the aptitudes. More than 67% of genotypes did not show adequate indexes for any of the evaluated aptitudes. The genotypes that highlight for the three aptitudes were UGA 08, UGA 71 and UGA 77. We conclude that the selection index is a useful tool for the identification of sweet potato genotypes with aptitudes for human consumption, animal feed and ethanol production.