Sweet potato Family: Convolvulaceae. Genus: Ipomoea (approx. 50 genera & 400 species) Botanical name: I. batatas

General botany Perennial crop, but treated as annual when cultivated. The plant has trailing and twining stems and containing latex. Tuber is rich in carbohydrate, vit. A and C.

Variation among cultivars Cultivars differ in: 1.Colour of root skin 2.Colour of the flesh 3.Shape of the roots 4.Shapes of the leaf 5.Depth of rooting 6.Time of maturity 7.Resistance to diseases 8.Texture of cooking roots

What make skin and flesh colour different The phytochemicals Phenolic compounds carotenoids anthocynins tocopherols

The history The oldest remains was found in Peru: 8, ,00 yr old. This indicates primary center of origin is in central to south America The second center of origin is thought to be in Papua New Guinea, based on genetic distinctiveness

How sweet potatoes reach Asia The Spanish and the Portuguese

The sweet facts As an emergency food crop. 80% (in term of acreage) is grown in Asia and 15% in Africa. Yield per ha, China and Japan produce t/ha. Only Egypt produce up to 30 t/ha. Asians are the main consumer of sweet potatoes

World production World ranking 1.China (85% of world production) 2.Nigeria 3.Uganda 4.Indonesia 5.Vietnam

Environment suitable for cultivation Best in sandy loam soil Optimum temp approx 24 o C cm of rainfall per annum (esp. during planting)

Sweet potato varieties Few varieties developed by MARDI are found or planted locally; Gendut for fries or chips JaloMas and Telong for flour use in food product VitAto with high beta carotene content However, hundreds of accessions are reported and found locally in the country.

Uses Staple food in some countries e.g. Papua New Guinea  Confectionary  processed as staple – chips and canned.

Health benefits of sweet potato High-Fiber Benefits Sweet potatoes are a fiber-rich food that promotes healthy digestion.

Health benefits of sweet potato … cont Antioxidant Benefits As an antioxidant-rich food, sweet potatoes hinder the destructive action of free radicals.

Health benefits of sweet potato … cont Blood Glucose Control Sweet potatoes are an ideal food for people with diabetes, to keep blood glucose levels stable and prevent health complications.

Uses …. cont Industrial use flour, sauce, pasta, glucose, syrup, alcohol, lactic acid, pectin.

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