Category:Production of Sweet potato
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Over the years, sweet potatoes have been studied, and the means of production have also been improved. Initially, people experimented, but now there are particular things that are known that guarantees better production of this vegetable.
One of the first things that were discovered regarding sweet potato productions is that this vegetable cannot grow in frosty conditions. This explains why it grows well in warmer climates. It is said the best climate for producing sweet potatoes is 24 degree Celsius.
The tuberous roots of the sweet potato mature between 2 to 9 months. However, this maturity is directly dependent on the grower and the conditions too. Soil, climatic conditions and the grower’s hand are all important to the growth of the sweet potato.
The adaptability of the sweet potato is limited to warmer climates. If these vegetables are exposed to cold they will not grow. Therefore, the best conditions of them are hot days and warm nights. Growing these plants under these conditions is best because it aids the best production for commercial feasibility. It is also known that longer exposure to sunlight on longer days favors better growth of vines. Short days induce greater root development. This is because the sweet potato stores food, and it must be remembered that the sweet potato like the regular potato is a storage root.
Well-drained soils are best for producing sweet potatoes. The soils should loamy and sandy. As opposed to these soils, you should not use soils that are too heavy or rich in organic matter. Soil acidity should range between a pH 5.5-6.0. Rotation of soil is important due to scurf and Fusarium wilt. The correct balance and rotation of soil will aid better sweet potato production. With experience of using soils of different mixtures, growers have learned to ameliorate production over the years.
Sweet potatoes are usually propagated through vine cuttings called slips. Though slips are used quite a lot for this purpose, the use of sprouts is preferred. These sprouts are selected from stock that is chosen because of its appearance. It is estimated that 7 or 8 sweet potato stock plantings are required in order to cater to one acre. As an example, it is said that for Pacific Northwest growth and production, sprouts should be selected from sweet potato nurseries in California that have a good reputation.
Indeed, the growing or sweet potatoes is a task that requires experts. These vegetables do not just happen to grow well, and they need to be cultivated carefully. Growers have ended learned about these vegetables through experience and developed the best possible conditions to grow them for commercial purposes. Soil conditions, climatic conditions, etc. are important to consider. In addition to this, growers need to know when they should pick out the sweet potatoes, as they need care for them in case they are exposed to damage. Growers therefore need to keep a keen eye on the skin condition of sweet potatoes.
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