Effective weed management is a critical aspect to successful sweet potato production since weeds compete for nutrients, water and sunlight and impair crop yield and quality. Perennial weed management, preplant burndown and in-season management included.

(Distributed 11/08/07) Sweet potato harvest conditions in Louisiana have been more cooperative in 2007 than in 2006, when late season rains caused several acres to go unharvested. And though the acreage is down slightly – 15,000 acres compared to 16,000 acres – the yields should more than compensate, according to Tara Smith, LSU AgCenter sweet potato specialist headquartered at the Sweet Potato Research Station in Chase, La.

Louisiana Sweet Potato News aims to update and inform all those associated with or interested in Louisiana sweet potatoes. Among the topics featured in this newsletter are such items as crop profiles, information related to various aspects of sweet potato production, the latest details on insect, weed and disease management, and current industry news and events.

This publication deals with some of the insects that attack sweet potatoes in Louisiana. It covers such pests as beet armyworms, soybean loopers and cabbage loopers and includes background information, descriptions of the pests and details on the damage they can cause. PDF format only.

Gerald Roberts, an LSU AgCenter and Southern University county agent in St. Landry Parish, said being chosen as the 2005 “Mr. Yam” punctuates his 29-year career of service to Louisiana sweet potato growers.

Before Command herbicide was labeled for sweet potato production, Louisiana sweet potato growers faced numerous weeds such as annual grasses, cocklebur, morningglory and prickly sida.

Sweet potatoes are an important commodity in Louisiana. Best Management Practices (BMPs) provide sweet potato growers guidelines on what practices they can implement to reduce the impact agricultural practices may have on the environment.

The Louisiana sweet potato harvest is under way, and LSU AgCenter experts say the damage from Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Rita appears to be minimal.

Provides information and symptions related to several common diseases in sweet potatoes.

Sweet potatoes are not very sweet or moist when first dug. It takes six to eight weeks of proper curing and storage before they have the sweet, moist taste and texture desired when baked, says LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dr. Tom Koske.