Abstract
The effects of mild and heavy shade on leaf colour, foliage length and weight, and storage root weight of 18 sweet potato cultivars (lpomoea batatas (L.) Lam.), in pots, were investigated. The yields of 18 cultivars and 38 seedlings selected for shade tolerance were tested in the field below trees. Strong shade increased the green colour and twining tendency and reduced flowering, foliage growth and storage root weight. Cultivars differed significantly in response to shade. Shade reduced survival of cuttings and number of storage roots of standard cultivars far more than with shade-tolerant selections. Selections for shade resistance outyielded standard cultivars under mild shade, but were equally inhibited from producing in shrong shade.
