Winter 2023 - 22

SC SWEET POTATOES
sweet research
Clemson study aims to help farmers fight weeds
BY DENISE ATTAWAY,
CLEMSON UNIVERSITY
rganic farming continues to become more popular
but offers South Carolina sweet potato farmers fewer
options for controlling costly weeds and nematodes
than do conventional farming methods.
O
To help give organic farmers new weapons to use against these
pests, a team of Clemson University researchers have received a
$747,280 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture National
Institute of Food and Agriculture's Organic Transitions Program.
The research focuses on using anaerobic soil disinfestation,
novel plastic mulch and sweet potato clones to control southern
root-knot nematode and weed infestations in organic sweet
potato production.
" Our long-term goal is to develop an integrated management
approach in organic sweet potato production that combines
these techniques, " said Matthew Cutulle, project director and
Clemson weed scientist stationed at the Coastal Research
and Education Center in Charleston, South Carolina. " Our
research, Extension and outreach activities will lead to effective
management strategies to increase sweet potato production. "
Anaerobic soil disinfestation is a soil-borne disease
management strategy proven effective against a wide range of
pathogens in organically grown crops.
In this study, researchers will evaluate ASD on sweet potato
germplasm by screening 20 sweet potato clones in an ASD
environment. These will include plant introductions and
commercial germplasm that have either a bunched-type growth
habit or resistance to southern root-knot nematode, as well as
commercial standards.
The impact of ASD with selected clones will be evaluated
at the time of transplanting; one, two, and three weeks after
transplanting; and after ASD termination. Scientists will study
local carbon sources for their ability to reduce the extent and
population density of SRKN and weeds in sweet potato fields
will also be studied.
Plastic mulch helps modulate soil temperature, reduce soil
erosion, evaporation, fertilizer leaching and weed problems, as
well as increase quality and yields. During this study, researchers
will evaluate the impact of novel plastic materials to control
22 WINTER 2023
Clemson University researchers have received a USDA grant to help give organic
sweet potato farmers new weapons to use against nematodes and weeds.
Photo: Clemson University
weeds. They also will integrate best practices of ASD, plastic
material and improved sweet potato lines to determine impact
on weed infestation and nematode suppression.
Clones used in this study have improved resistance to both
the southern root-knot nematode and weed infestation.
This study will be conducted on farms, as well as at the
Coastal Research and Education Center and the United States
Vegetable Lab in Charleston.
Researchers will evaluate ASD impact on soil microbial
dynamics in sweet potato production systems. They
also will conduct a cost-return analysis of ASD used in
combination with improved plastic mulch and novel sweet
potato germplasm compared to currently used management
practices and sweet potato cultivars.
Results and guidelines will be given to stakeholders, scientists
and industry professionals in the Southeast and other regions in
the United States through Cooperative Extension Service agents
and outreach programs.
Other Clemson researchers involved in this study titled
" Organic Transitions: Improving Profitability of Organic
Sweet potato through Pest Resistant Clones and Enhanced
Anaerobic Soil Disinfestation " are Brian Ward, Churamani
Khanal, Puskar Khanal, Julia Kerrigan and R. Karthikeyan.
The study ends on Aug. 31, 2025.
Sweet potatoes are highly nutritious and are a staple in many
diets including baby food. Information from the USDA shows
sweet potatoes are higher in beta carotene than many other
vegetables and are a source of potassium and fiber as well as
vitamins A and C.
Per capita consumption of fresh sweet potatoes in 2021 in the
United States was around 6.3 pounds. Sweet potato production
in the United States reached an estimated $726 million in 2020.
Organic farming is environmentally friendly and is one of
the fastest-growing sectors of American agriculture. However,
costs involved are causing concern for producers. As part of
this study, the researchers will provide a budget analysis to
show how profits increase or decrease with the adoption of this
alternative farming practice.
Winter 2023

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Winter 2023
