Sweetpotato production guide for the Top End
Sweetpotato is very well suited to local growing conditions. When grown with irrigaton, high yields are obtainable and root quality is good. Poor yields and low quality, associated with low ambient and soil temperatures are problems for southern growers during winter which can provide a market opportunity for locally grown crops. The Horticulture Division of DPIFM conducted an extensive research program on sweetpotato from 1983 through to 1993, covering all the major agronomic issues for crop production. This work included varietal evaluation, nutrition and irrigation requirements, pests and disease control, and post-harvest studies. Since then, new varieties have been developed in Queensland and have been assessed in local screening trial in 2003 to provide updated varietal recommendations. This report summarises past research and provides a guide to successful sweetpotato production in the Top End.