SWEET POTATO

Intercultural operations

Manuring

Apply cattle manure or compost at 10 t/ha at the time of preparation of ridges. The recommended N:P₂O₅:K₂O dosage for sweet potato is 75:50:75 kg/ha. For the reclaimed alluvial soils of Kuttanad, the recommendation is 50:25:50 kg/ha. Apply N in two equal split doses, the first at the time of planting and the second 4-5 weeks after planting. Apply full dose of P₂O₅ and K₂O at the planting time.

Irrigation

When grown as irrigated crop, provide irrigation once in 2 days for a period of 10 days after planting and thereafter once in 7-10 days. Stop irrigation 3 weeks before harvest. But one more irrigation may be given 2 days before harvest. IW / CPE for higher tuber yield in non-rainy periods is 1:2 (approximate interval of 11 days). The application of N and K₂O at the rate of 50 kg/ha is recommended for the crop grown under irrigation.

After cultivation

Conduct two weeding and earthing up operations about 2 weeks and 5 weeks after planting. The top dressing of fertilizers may be done along with the second after cultivation. Prevent development of small slender tubers at the nodes by turning the vines occasionally during active growth phase.

Rotation and mixed cropping

Under irrigated conditions, sweet potato can be rotated with rice and planted during December-January after harvest of the second crop of rice. As a mixed crop, it can be grown along with colocasia, amorphophallus etc. Under rainfed conditions, green manure crops such as kozhinjil and sannhemp can be grown after harvest of the sweet potato and later incorporated into the soil at the time of land preparation for the succeeding crop.

Last updated: 19-06-2008