SWEET POTATOES

More than just a holiday food.

Jack D. Osman, Ph.D. Towson University

The sweetpotato is both a nutritious and delicious vegetable that deserves to be a regular serving in the American diet.

Jack D. Osman, 2002

Some are down-right ugly!

Georgia Jet - 1.5 pounds

Jack D. Osman, 2002

Some are just BIG!

3.5 pounds!
Jack D. Osman, 2002

Others are HUGE!

Jack D. Osman, 2002

Little Know Facts

Sweetpotatoes are not yams.

Yams

are tubers native to Africa, have limited nutrition, are long with dry flesh, and take about 350 days to grow.
Jack D. Osman, 2002

Little Know Facts

Sweetpotatoes are part of the morning glory family. (Look at the leaves.)

Jack D. Osman, 2002

Little Know Facts

Sweetpotatoes are
really storage roots (not tubers). They propagate through slip production, are native to South America, and can be harvested in 90 to 120 days.
Jack D. Osman, 2002

Little Know Facts

Sweetpotatoes rank as the 5th most important crop for developing countries. World annual production: 133 million tons. China grows 85% of the world production. USA produces about 1% of the world crop. North Carolina is the leading US producer.

Jack

Little Know Facts

Sweetpotatoes are nutritious!
An orange-flesh sweetpotato contains a two day supply of Vitamin A, 40%+ of Vitamin C, nearly 10% of iron needs. Sweetpotatoes are one of the only lowfat sources of Vitamin E, and they have more dietary fiber than oatmeal.
Jack D. Osman, 2002

Little Know Facts

Sweetpotatoes may fight cancer.
The A.C.E. vitamins are known as the antioxidant set and play a role in cancer prevention. Dietary fiber is another important sweetpotato anti-cancer link. Additional phytochemicals found in sweetpotatoes (in purple sweetpotato varieties) may also be an anti-cancer advantage.
Jack D. Osman, 2002

Sweetpotatoes are easy to grow.

Jack D. Osman, 2002

Slip Production and Planting

Jack D. Osman, 2002

Back Porch Slip Production

Jack D. Osman, 2002

Planting Slips

For northern growers - plant slips under black plastic.

Jack D. Osman, 2002

Ninety days till harvest!

Jack D. Osman, 2002

Curing Sweetpotatoes
Immediately following harvest, sweetpotatoes need to be cured. Curing protects the root during storage. Sweetpotatoes need to be cured at 85 degrees, 85% humidity for 5 to 7 days. Once cured, store sweetpotato roots at about 60 degrees. Do not store below 55 degrees. This will produce a chill injury factor, resulting in a hard core &/or rapid spoilage.
Jack D. Osman, 2002

Even if the sweetpotato were to get damaged in harvest, it has a remarkable capacity to heal itself during the curing process.

Jack D. Osman, 2002

Jack D. Osman, 2002