Evaluation of Newly Recommended Sweet Potato Varieties
EVALUATION OF NEWLY RECOMMENDED SWEET POTATO VARIETIES UNDER COCONUT
BY NELSIE MODINA FERNANDEZ
Abstract
This study was conducted to evaluate the growth and yield performance of different sweet potato varieties grown under coconut, and to determine which variety of sweet potato would perform best under coconut.
Among the agronomic characteristics measured, only herbage yield differed significantly among sweet potato varieties and was lowest in PSB-Sp 16. Based on ocular observation, this might be attributed to smaller stem produced by this variety. On the other hand, the yield, yield components as well as harvest index of five sweet potato varieties differed significantly. It was found that PSB-Sp 15 performed better under coconut since this variety produced more and heavier weight of marketable roots which led to higher total root yield and harvest index.
Results showed that all sweet potato varieties did not compensate the cost of production and thus, were unprofitable. This was due to the very low root yield probably due to soil activity-related problems.
INTRODUCTION
Sweet potato (ipomoea batatas L.) plays a major role in the national economy and the country’s effort to attain self-sufficiency in food. Is one of the world’s most important food crops as cheap source of energy. In the Philippines, sweet potato has gained popular attention as an important source of food, feed and raw materials for industrial products (Sanico, 1980). Through processing, sweet potato storage roots can be converted into flour and starch which can be used in many food and non-food industries. Villanueva (1979) also mentioned that sweet potato is a good source of alcohol. He noted that a ton of fresh sweet potato roots yielded about 125 liters of alcohol which is twice as much as that extracted from sugarcane.
Sweet potato roots are rich in vitamins and minerals. Sufficient amount of calcium, iron, phosphorous, and other nutrient elements are present in various plant parts
BY NELSIE MODINA FERNANDEZ
Abstract
This study was conducted to evaluate the growth and yield performance of different sweet potato varieties grown under coconut, and to determine which variety of sweet potato would perform best under coconut.
Among the agronomic characteristics measured, only herbage yield differed significantly among sweet potato varieties and was lowest in PSB-Sp 16. Based on ocular observation, this might be attributed to smaller stem produced by this variety. On the other hand, the yield, yield components as well as harvest index of five sweet potato varieties differed significantly. It was found that PSB-Sp 15 performed better under coconut since this variety produced more and heavier weight of marketable roots which led to higher total root yield and harvest index.
Results showed that all sweet potato varieties did not compensate the cost of production and thus, were unprofitable. This was due to the very low root yield probably due to soil activity-related problems.
INTRODUCTION
Sweet potato (ipomoea batatas L.) plays a major role in the national economy and the country’s effort to attain self-sufficiency in food. Is one of the world’s most important food crops as cheap source of energy. In the Philippines, sweet potato has gained popular attention as an important source of food, feed and raw materials for industrial products (Sanico, 1980). Through processing, sweet potato storage roots can be converted into flour and starch which can be used in many food and non-food industries. Villanueva (1979) also mentioned that sweet potato is a good source of alcohol. He noted that a ton of fresh sweet potato roots yielded about 125 liters of alcohol which is twice as much as that extracted from sugarcane.
Sweet potato roots are rich in vitamins and minerals. Sufficient amount of calcium, iron, phosphorous, and other nutrient elements are present in various plant parts