Home > Our Offices > Research Stations > Sweet Potato > 130 Sweet Potato Road · Chase, LA · 71324 - 0120 Phone: (318) 435-2155 · Fax: (318) 435-2110 Nitrogen Management in Louisiana Sweet Potatoes [Image: sweet potato] Sustainable and profitable commercial sweet potato production requires proper management of nitrogen fertilizer. Inadequate or excessive amounts of nitrogen fertilizer can be detrimental to a sweet potato crop and can negatively affect yield potential. What Amount of Nitrogen Fertilizer Does My Sweet Potato Crop Need? When Should Nitrogen Be Applied? How Should a Sweet Potato Crop Look 30 Days After Transplanting? Find these answers and more in this publication. Sweet Potato Quick Facts [Image: sweet potato quick facts pdf] Sweet potato nutrition information, per-capita consumption, products and U.S. production statistical information. (PDF Format Only) The Sweet Truth about Sweet Potato Production in Louisiana [Image: Sweet Potato Harvest] How do sweet potatoes get from the field to your table? This video explains the amazing multi-step, labor intensive process to producing sweet potatoes. It's your chance to learn the "sweet truth" about sweet potato production in Louisiana. Mission and Foundation Seed Program [Image: Bin of sweet potatoes] Station mission and foundation seed program information  more articles... Sweet Potato Scientist: Chris Clark devotes career to better production, higher yields [Image: Photo of Chris Clark] There was a time in Chris Clark’s life that sweet potatoes made a one-time annual appearance – the Thanksgiving table. Little did he know that this delicious, nutritious menu item would help define his career. 2008 Sweet Potato Research Verification Program - Economic Analysis [Image: 2008 Sweet Potato Research Verification Program] These files contain cost and returns estimates for fields enrolled in the 2008 Sweet Potato Research Verification Program GAP, GMP, EUREPGAP, GLOBALGAP and Sweet Potato Producers [Image: GAP] Food safety has always been a concern and is an important issue with respect to both domestic and international food supplies. This brochure introduces the concepts of Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) and Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) as they relate to food safety and sweet potato production. 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) 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) 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.