Genetic Analysis and Trait Association of Morphological and Root Traits of Sweetpotato ( Ipomoea batatas L.) in Two Contrasting Seasons

Sweetpotato ( Ipomoea batatas L.) is a vital crop for its yield, nutritional quality, and adaptability to diverse environments. This study evaluated thirteen International Potato Centre‐bred genotypes and three modern varieties of sweetpotato across early‐ and late‐winter using a randomized complete block design. Eleven morphological and nutritional traits were assessed. ANOVA revealed significant ( p < 0.05) effects of genotype, season, and genotype × season interaction for most of the traits. Early‐winter favored higher economic root mass and number, while late‐winter resulted in higher individual root mass. Yield‐related and nutritional traits showed strong positive correlations. The first two principal components accounted for 59% of total variation, driven by yield traits (PC1) and nutritional traits (PC2). The highest genotypic and phenotypic coefficients of variation were recorded for shoot weight and yield—41% and 48%, respectively—while the highest heritability (58%) was recorded for dry matter content. G54 was the top‐performing genotype for yield, 17 t ha −1 , across two seasons. Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute sweetpotato‐15, G275, G287, and G310 were selected for higher yield in both seasons. The results indicate that short‐duration sweetpotatoes can be cultivated twice a year in Bangladesh instead of once per year. These findings provide valuable insights for breeding short‐duration, nutritionally‐enriched sweetpotato varieties adaptable to multiple growing seasons.