Influence of Prohexadione Calcium (Pro-Ca) on Biochemical Composition of Sweet Potato Grown in Hydroponic Conditions in the Greenhouse.

Sweetpotato is an important crop of southern United States. Primarily the crop is cultivated for the valuable roots which are used as vegetable. Some of the secondary metabolites in sweetpotato which have gained importance in recent years are phenolic compounds, flavonoids, vitamin C and carotenoids. Secondary metabolites are known to improve human health. The main objective of the study to understand the impact of Pro-Ca on reduction of biomass with concomitant enhancement of storage root growth and biochemical composition of the roots and shoots of sweetpotato when grown under greenhouse conditions using hydroponic system. The study included Alcorn State University breeding line (Excel 2) and one cultivar (O’Henry) grown in hydroponic. The study also included. Both root and shoot (vine) samples were collected at 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 week interval and subjected to biochemical characterization. Specifically, total phenolics, total flavonoids, VitaminC, Sucrose, caffeic acid, chlorogenic acid, apigenin and kaempferol were analyzed using HPCL and spectrophotometer. The results indicate that only caffeic acid showed significant increase in levels as compared to the control. This indicate that the growth retardant has impact on the enzymes involved in the biosynthesis of this metabolite.