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A Sweet Potato Farmer’s Guide for the Selection of Sweet Potato Cultivars in Barbados using Physical Characteristics and Total Sugars

Author

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  • Ragoonath-Devonish, Evangeline
  • Thomas, Nelissa
  • Alleyne, Angela

Abstract

In June 2018, the Ministry of Agriculture in collaboration with the University of the West, Cave Hill Campus, Barbados conducted a sweet potato trial using thirty-two varieties with the objectives being to examine some physical traits of available cultivars in the gene bank, analyse the sugar content, as well as to produce a farmer’s guide for market selection of sweet potato cultivars in Barbados. The study took note of the following parameters: tuber length, tuber diameter, skin and flesh colour, shape, average tuber number and tuber yield or mass or tubers weight. Statistical analysis showed that the average number of tubers, average length of tubers, and tuber diameters of the varieties followed a normal distribution, and revealed the levels of variation among these parameters. Interestingly, the yield of tubers and the size of these sweet potato did not follow a normal distribution. Results from the sugar analysis showed that varieties with orange and creamy flesh colours contained a higher percentage of sugars (15-16%) compared to the white-flesh coloured varieties with 11-12%. A draft farmer’s selection chart was produced for easy identification of eight widely used varieties found in Barbados using both morphological and biochemical characteristics.

Suggested Citation

  • Ragoonath-Devonish, Evangeline & Thomas, Nelissa & Alleyne, Angela, 2020. "A Sweet Potato Farmer’s Guide for the Selection of Sweet Potato Cultivars in Barbados using Physical Characteristics and Total Sugars," Farm and Business - The Journal of the Caribbean Agro-Economic Society, Caribbean Agro-Economic Society, vol. 12(1), December.
    • Handle: RePEc:ags:fabtho:307707
    DOI: 10.22004/ag.econ.307707
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Broomes, J., 2013. "Comparative Yield Of Four Sweet Potato (Ipomoea Batatas) Cultivars Planted In Single And Double Rows," 49th Annual Meeting, June 30-July 6, 2013, St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands 253452, Caribbean Food Crops Society.
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      Keywords

      Agribusiness; Crop Production/Industries;

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