frIt rady for harv-estng.


SWEET POTATO VARIETY TRIAL

 Sweet potato (Ipomoaa batstas) is a popular crop in the Virgin Islands, and local consumption is steadily
increasing. Sweet potato is one of the easiest crops to grow because it produces fairly good yields under low level
of management.
 There are many varieties available both commercially and from agricultural research centers. The growing
period may vary from three to seven months, but most varieties produce good yields In four to five months.
 In 1988 a series of sweet potato germplasm evaluation trials was initiated at UVI-AES to identify high-ylelding
varieties adapted tothe growing environment ofthe Virgin Islands. An additional objective of thetrial was to evaluate
consumer acceptability of sweet potato varieties. Since sweet potato weevil is a serious Insect pest and a threat
to sweet potato production, data on the degree of infestation were also collected.
 Six trials were conducted over a period of eight months (April-November). Two trials were conducted in spring-
summer and another two during the summer-fall season. In 1991 and 1992, trials were established to evaluate more
promising varieties. Planting materials were obtainedirom various sources including Puerto Rico, St. Croix, St. Kitts
and Florida.


Table 14. Total marketable yield and fruit quality of watermelon
varieties grown during winter-spring, 1987-88, at UVI-AES.

 Marketable yield' Fruit size' Soluble solids
Variety (t ha1') (kg) (%)

Royal Charleston 18.2 a 4.80 ab -
Hybrid Royal Sweet 12.9 ab 6.11 a 8.5
Dixie Lee 11.2 ab 4.74 ab 11.0
Sugar Doll 7.3 ab 3.37 b
Crimson Sweet 4.9 b 6.53 a

'Meanswithinacolumnfollowed withthesameletterare not significantly
different by Duncan's Multiple Range Test, (P=0.05).