Agrius convolvuli is commonly known as the sweet potato hawkmoth or hornworm. Hawkmoths are big, with wing spans between 80–105 mm, grey to black with pink abdominal segments. Sweet potato weevil is the most destructive of all sweet potato pests as it destroys stems, leaves and fruit from the field to stored produce Kibrom Beyene. [...]

Blosyrus inaequalis is mostly found in Siri-Lanka and India, but lately also in the northern parts of South Africa. So far the economical damage cause in the highveld in South Africa is not a big concern, but in the lowveld it can cause problems. Folded leaf edges with 15-25 eggs is a sign of Blosyrus [...]

Sweet potato weevil can be devastating in Africa. losses between 73%N.E.J.M.Smit,"The effect of the indigenous cultural practices of in-ground storage and piecemeal harvesting of sweetpotato on yield and quality losses caused by sweetpotato weevil in Uganda," Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment,vol.64,no. 3, pp. 191–200, 1997. -100%K. O. Fuglie, “Priorities for sweetpotato research in developing countries: results [...]

Planting material Sweet potatoes are propagated vegetatively through vines (or runners) which are cut up in cuttings, each 300-400mm long. Most other crops are propagated with seed, which comes from the reproductive parts of the plant. Selecting disease and insect free material from a reputable supplier is the first cheap step in reducing spray cost [...]

Sweet potato soil requirements are similar to many other vegetable crops. Good high quality soil is the first step towards good yields, it is not a guarantee, but it helps. The soil texture, structure and chemical composition significantly influences root growth, which is where the tubers grow. Any part of the soil that restricts root [...]

The sweet potato is an underrated popular vegetable in South Africa. Since it is a tropical crop, it cannot be grown everywhere. Interestingly, it is also popular in India, China and Japan. In southern America, its popularity supersedes that of the potato. There they refer to the sweet potato as the "potato" and the potato [...]

Sweet potato fertilizer requirements can be calculated if you know your soil type and have a good idea of the yield potential of your land and climate. These are basic norms and your specific microclimate and variety can have an influence on the total amount applied. These norms do not take top dressings into account, [...]