Multistate project has guided sweet potato production for over 87 years 

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Since 1939, the Sweet Potato Collaborators Conference has been a forum for generating and sharing information about sweet potato production and post-harvest practices. The group coordinates annual regional trials of promising sweet potato varieties and facilitates the commercial release of new varieties. Group members also investigate and share best practices for pest and disease management, mechanization, and marketing. To support the next generation of sweet potato scientists and growers, group members provide hands-on training in research, teaching, and Extension. See project details: nimss.org/projects/18767 

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​PARTICIPATING LAND-GRANT INSTITUTIONS:

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Alcorn State University, University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff, Auburn University, University of California, Clemson University, Cornell University, University of Florida, University of Georgia, University of Hawaii, Louisiana State University, University of Maryland, Michigan State University, Mississippi State University, University of New Hampshire, North Carolina State University, Pennsylvania State University, University of Puerto Rico, Purdue University, Rutgers University, Texas A&M University, Tuskegee University, Virginia Tech, West Virginia State University. Past and ongoing iterations of this project may include additional participants. 

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Preserving genetic resources for sweet potato development​

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A multistate team coordinates the preservation and distribution of sweet potato genetic material such as plant tissue cultures. Also called germplasm, these genetic resources are key to research and crop improvement and have led to many of today's sweet potato varieties. Recently, sweet potato germplasm was evaluated for resistance to black rot (Louisiana State University) and for adaptation to tropical environments (University of Guam). See project details: nimss.org/projects/18977

 

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Protecting sweet potatoes from parasitic worms

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​​As part of a multistate project on nematodes that damage crops, researchers at the University of Hawaii screened sweet potatoes for various species of root-knot nematodes, helping prevent introduction of these pests at a critical transit point between Asia and the U.S. mainland. University of Hawaii researchers also coordinated field trials in Hawaii, Alabama, and North Carolina, which showed that sweet potato farmers can use cover crops to suppress plant-parasitic nematodes, enhance soil health, and improve sweet potato yields. See project details: nimss.org/projects/18812

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Developing precision tech to enhance sweet potato production

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As part of a multistate project to improve plant phenotyping, scientists are working together to develop sensor and imaging systems for sweet potatoes and other underground crops. These systems will help scientists and growers rapidly and accurately assess plant growth, stress responses, and resource use efficiency. See project details: nimss.org/projects/19256​​​ 

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Automating and mechanizing sweet potato grading and sorting​

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Researchers at Michigan State University, Mississippi State University, North Carolina State University, University of Illinois, and Louisiana State University are working together to develop datasets, algorithms, and robotic machine vision systems that can be used to automate sweet potato grading and sorting during harvest and processing. These systems will help overcome labor shortages when there are not enough farm workers to harvest, sort, and grade sweet potatoes by hand. See project details: nimss.org/projects/19180​​

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Understanding the health benefits of sweet potatoes

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As part of a multistate project on nutrients in plants, researchers are exploring how carotenoids, natural pigments found in orange-colored sweet potatoes, may help protect against a variety of health issues, including obesity (Pennsylvania State University), nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (University of Connecticut), and chronic inflammation associated with Type 2 diabetes (Oklahoma State University). See project details: nimss.org/projects/19012​​