ASIAN VEGETABLE RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT CENTER SWEET POTATO REPORT, 1976

The report notes that, while sweet potatoes produce more food per hectare than does rice, and require minimal input and management, sweet potato production is at present declining rapidly in Taiwan. Increased availability of irrigation water has resulted in greater choice of crops; consequently, the durable sweet potato, long a staple item during famine years, is increasingly rejected as poor people"s food. This report discusses research to improve taste and nutrition content of sweet potatoes, maintaining that sweet potatoes are an important resource in regions of fixed cultivation area and rising population. Included are an economic analysis of the declining market as well as results of tests on insect resistance and the effect of different concentrations of potassium and nitrogen in the soil. AVRDC"s training programs and cooperation in international research programs are briefly reviewed. The appendix includes indexes of accessions and crosses, as well as test environment information.