Theses and Dissertations

ORCID

https://orcid.org/0009-0008-8569-6030

Advisor

Harvey, Lorin

Committee Member

Bi, Guihong

Committee Member

Harkess, Richard L..

Committee Member

Tseng, Te-Ming (Paul)

Date of Degree

5-16-2025

Original embargo terms

Visible MSU Only 1 year

Document Type

Graduate Thesis - Campus Access Only

Major

Plant and Soil Science (Horticulture)

Degree Name

Master of Science (M.S.)

College

College of Agriculture and Life Sciences

Department

Department of Plant and Soil Sciences

Abstract

Sweetpotato production is often impacted by high mortality of slips during transplantation to the field, particularly with greenhouse-grown slips. These slips develop thinner stems, thus being more vulnerable to transplant shock, resulting in reduced establishment. To address this issue, the study evaluated the effects of four plant growth regulators on the morphological and anatomical characteristics of sweetpotato slips. In the first experiment, external growth parameters were recorded over four weeks, followed by post-harvest assessments of plant and root material. In the second experiment, the widths of various stem structures in stained cross-sections of slip stems were measured. Results showed that two applications of uniconazole at 20 mg·L⁻¹ reduced slip height by 41.6%, while flurprimidol at 120 mg·L⁻¹ increased epidermal thickness by 31.8%. Chlorophyll content was enhanced at various rates of all tested chemicals. However, both flurprimidol and uniconazole reduced the external stem diameter. Future research should explore optimal application rates to improve slip establishment and yield potential.

Sponsorship (Optional)

MAFE Special Research Initiative

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