Screening of New High Quality and High Yield Sweet Potato Varieties in Zaozhuang of Shandong Province

[Objectives] To compare the growth period, dry matter content and yield of 12 different sweet potato varieties, so as to screen out new sweet potato varieties with high yield, high quality and high dry matter content suitable for cultivation in Zaozhuang of Shandong Province. [Methods] Field random arrangement, three replicates, and field observation were adopted, and data were surveyed and summarized. [Results] There were significant differences in the maturity period between varieties. Longshu 9, Hongxiangjiao, Sushu 8, Yanshu 25, and Yanshu 0747 in the fresh eating group were mature earlier, and Yuzi 7 was mature later; Xushu 32 in the starch group was mature earlier, while Xushu 22 (ck), Shangshu 19, Jishu 25, and Jishu 98 had moderate maturity period, and Jixu 23 was mature later. The difference in the yield between the fresh eating group and the starch group reached a very significant level. In the fresh eating group, Yanshu 25 had the highest yield, followed by Longshu 9, and then Yanshu 0747; in the starch group, Jishu 98 had the highest yield, followed by Shangshu 19, and then Jixu 23. Besides, there were significant differences in the dry matter content between varieties. In the fresh eating group, Yuzi 7 had the highest dry matter content (30.4%), followed by Yanshu 25 (28.1%), and then Yanshu 0747 (28.1%); in the starch group, Xushu 32 had the highest dry matter content (33.6%), followed by Jishu 25 (32%), and then Jishu 98 (31.5%). [Conclusions] Combining the maturity period, yield, dry matter content, appearance, taste and unique ecological conditions in Zaozhuang area, the varieties suitable for cultivation in Zaozhuang area were screened: in the fresh eating group, it was Yanshu 25 and Longshu 9; in the starch group, it was Jishu 98, Shangshu 19,and Jixu 23.