Sweet Potatoes

Introduction

A sweet potato is a seasonal crop. This is a seasonal crop.

This is preferred hot condition but in the growing stage rainfall is needed.

Climate

Hot environmental conditions are preferred and in the growing season

rainfall are helped to better growing. In bearing season mild condition is

preferred.

Soil

Well drainage sandy loam soil is more suitable for sweet potatoes. In the high clay soils crop is grown properly but harvest is low.

Land preparation

Soil should be filled to depth of 25cm flat and raised beds are prepared. Proper drainage and aeration are needed for the better harvest.

Varieties

Variety	Age	Colour
CARI-9	3 ½-4	Light yellow
CARI-275	3 ½-4	Light yellow
CARI-426	3-3 ½	Orange
Wariyapola - White	3-3 ½	White
Wariyapola - Red	3 ½-4	White
Ranabima	3 ½-4	Light yellow
RW- 8 (Shanthi)	3 ½-4	White
BW 21(Chithra)	3 ½-4	White

Planting materials

Stem parts (vine) are used.

5,500 - 60,000 parts for one hectare.

Planting

Should be planted as rows to get a higher harvest

Spacing

Between two saplings – 9inches.

Fertilizer application

	Urea kg/ha	Triple super phosphate kg/ha	Muriate of potash kg/ha
Basal application	60	120	120
Top dressing	60	-	60

irrigation

Sweet potatoes grow as seasonal crop. But in the commercial level water should be supplied artificially

Weeding

Weeding is done within 45 day in the proper stages and they are used as mulches.

Pest control

Sweet potato weevil

This damage is caused to decrease the qualitative of the harvest.

There is no single method to control this pest. Integrated methods can be used to control as following.

Crop rotation

Crop management methods

Chemical methods

Use sexual peramone

Stem borer

To control put soil to the base of the stem and use crop management methods.

Leaf eating caterpillars and beetles

This is not a huge damaged. Therefore control methods not essential.

Harvesting

Harvesting can be done after 3 ½ - 4 from planting. Harvest is 18 – 22 tons per hectare.