SWEET POTATO(Ipomoea balatas)

Family: Convolvulaceae

• Sweet potato is the cheapest source of

carbohydrates, besides high yield potential
and wider adaptability under varying agro-
climatic conditions.
• It is an important crop of tropical and sub-
tropical regions.
• Sweet potato is used as raw, cooked and for
manufacturing of starch and alcohol.
 Food value
• Starch, energy, carotene, fiber and mineral
good source
 Native
• South America
• 175 species
Sweet potato
 Varieties

• R.S.-5, Cross-4, S-30, Pusa Safed, Pusa Lal,

Pusa Sundheri, Varsha, H-42, H-41, CO-1, CO-
2, CO-3, Kal Megh, R.S.-43, R.S.-35, Jawahar
Sakarkand-114, etc.
 Cultural Requirements

Summer crop
• 1/15 to 1/20 ha of nursery will produce about 20-25 thousand vines in about 80 days
which will be sufficient for one ha area/plantation.

• The seed crop should be fertilized with 20 kg/N/ha at the time of land preparation.

• For unsatisfactory growth of the seed crop, top dressed with 15-20 kg N/ha after 40 DAP.

• Planting of 40 to 50 cm long vines spaced at 30 x 30 cm , increased tuber yield more than

12%.

• Half of the vine length should be cover for better results.

• Top portion of vine cutting yields more (up to 15%) than the middle or basal parts.
 Seed Production Technology

• The seed material should be reasonably

clean, healthy, and should conform to the
characteristics of the variety.
 Post-harvest handling

• The tubers are harvested when the leaves

turn pale and later slight yellow.

• Harvesting should be done at the correct

stage of maturity.

• After harvesting, the tubers are cleaned,

graded and should be properly cured.
 yield
• 5-15t/ha yield