Node Position Determines Sweetpotato (Ipomoea batatas [L.] Lam.) Cutting Performance: Toward a Targeted Inverted Planting Strategy

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Sweetpotato (Ipomoea batatas [L.] Lam.) is a vital crop for food security, yet yields in Cuba remain below potential (2.5–10.0 t ha−1) due to suboptimal propagation practices. This study investigated the impact of nodal position (1–22) on root development in stem cuttings of cv. ‘INIVIT B-240’ under controlled conditions. Root primordia (24 h), fibrous roots (7 days), and storage roots (60 days) were evaluated. Intermediate nodes (8–12) exhibited superior rhizogenic capacity, with node 10 showing the highest root primordia density (3.0 ± 3) and nodes 10–12 producing the most fibrous roots (24.6–26.7 roots/cutting). Storage root formation was optimal at nodes 5–13, particularly nodes 8–11 (1.30+ roots/node; highest biomass). Multivariate analysis (Integrated Performance Index) confirmed nodes 8–12 as the most productive cluster. These findings challenge traditional apical-cutting practices, showing that mid-stem nodes optimize both rooting and tuberization. We propose inverted planting of pre-apical sections to bury high-performance nodes, potentially increasing yields in resource-limited systems.

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