Home > Our Offices > Research Stations > Sweet Potato > Postharvest Handling of Sweet Potatoes [Image: sweet potatoes] This comprehensive publication covers the importance of harvesting techniques, as well as curing and storage conditions, that will promote quality and extend the storage life of sweet potatoes. It also includes information on packing line sanitation, product safety, certification standards and USDA grade standards for sweet potatoes. (Produced by North Carolina State University and the LSU AgCenter -- PDF Format Only) Nematode Management in Louisiana Sweet Potato Production [Image: nematodes in sweet potatoes] Plant-parasitic nematodes can damage plants in many ways and are considered to be a serious threat to sweet potato production in Louisiana. This publication describes problematic nematode species and management strategies available for these pests. Louisiana Plant Pathology: Sclerotial Blight and Circular Spot of Sweet Potato [Image: sweet potatoes] Sclerotium rolfsii is a soilborne fungus that causes southern blight on a wide variety of plants. Proper identification is the key to successful disease management. This fact sheet is intended to aid in the identification and management of Sclerotial Blight and Circular Spot. (PDF Format Only) Mission and Foundation Seed Program [Image: Bin of sweet potatoes] Station mission and foundation seed program information  more articles... Insect Pest Management in Louisiana Sweet Potatoes [Image: sweet pototo insects] Soil insect pests can be extremely problematic in Louisiana sweet potato production. The majority of insect damage in sweet potato occurs on the root surface and consists of unattractive scars and holes. The market tolerance for this cosmetic injury is very low, and minimal insect damage can drastically affect the marketability of the crop. Weed Management in Sweet Potatoes [Image: sweet potato weed mgmt] 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. Managing Cucumber Beetles (Rootworms) in Louisiana Sweet Potato Production [Image: cucumber beetle] Cucumber beetles (rootworms) are significant insect pests of sweet potatoes in Louisiana. Adults and larvae of these insects feed on sweet potatoes, but larvae are the most damaging. Descriptions of the banded cucumber beetle and the spotted cucumber beetle, as well as management strategies for these insects, are included in this publication. (PDF Format Only) Preliminary Report On Results Of The Sweet Potato Packing Line Surveys Results of surveys in Louisiana and North Carolina measuring impacts on sweet potato packing lines. The surveys were conducted as part of the USDA, CSREES, RAMP-funded Sweet potato IPM Project. Bug Biz: Lepidopteron Insect Pests in Sweet Potato Production [Image: Sweet Potato Insect Pests] 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. 2006 Pest Management Recommendations Sweet potatoes are subject to attack by soil and foliage insect species throughout the growing season. Sweet potato weevils may be a problem in storage. Insect damage causes economic losses in quality and overall yield, and growers sustain significant losses to root-feeding soil insects. Production Guide Contains selected information related to sweet potatoes from the LSU AgCenter Commercial Vegetable Production Recommendations. Beetles and Beetle Damage [Image: White-fringed beetle larvae and adults] This article describes types of beetles and the damage they cause. Sclerotial Blight and Circular Spot [Image: Photo of wilted plant] Provides information related to sclerotial blight and circular spot in sweet potatoes. Sweet Potato Insect Pest Management (IPM) Contains information related to insect pest management in sweet potato crops developed by the Sweet Potato Research station.