Analysis of leaf shedding and dry matter recycling in sweetpotato

During a normal growing season, sweetpotatoes shed a substantial number of leaves (Somda and Kays, 1990b). To ascertain the potential cost of leaf loss to the plant, the sequential loss of leaves over the entire growing season was monitored and related to losses of dry matter and individual elements when leaf shedding was induced via leaf shading. The number of leaves produced increased as the season progressed, but missing leaves outnumbered by 21% those remaining on the plant by the end of the growing season. Average dry weights of individual leaves increased progressively to a maximum 14 weeks after planting, and then declined until harvest. After the 6th week, leaf area decreased relative to plant dry weight for the remainder of the growing season. Mature leaves remobilized nearly 37% of their total dry matter prior to abscission; the remaining 63% was lost from the plant, representing an estimated dry matter loss of approximately 2.8 MT/ha during the growing season. A significant portion of P, K, and Mg that had accumulated in mature leaves was recycled into the plant prior to abscission. However, remobilization of Ca, Fe, Zn, Mn, B, Na, and Al was not significant. Leaf shedding in field populations of ‘Jewel’ sweetpotatoes was extensive, and while significant dry matter was recycled out of the leaves prior to abscission, leaf drop represented a substantial loss of P, K, and Mg and dry matter from the crop.