Please see the link below to access the recently updated publication “Insect Pest Management in Louisiana Sweet Potatoes” from the LSU AgCenter web site.
LSU AgCenter Pre-harvest Workshop and Field Tour
August 20, 2013, LSU AgCenter Scott Research, Extension and Education Center
Winnsboro, LA
Sweet Potato Research Station, Chase, LA
Agenda
9:00 – Welcome and introductions, Refreshments sponsored by Ag World, Warren Henninger
9:15 – “50 Shades of Nitrogen: Seventy Five Years of Connecting the Dots and a Brief History of the Future.” Dr. Arthur Villordon, Professor Sweet Potato Research Station
10:00 – “Update on Internal Necrosis Research”, Dr. Chris Clark, Professor Dept. of Plant Pathology and Crop Physiology
10:30 – “Sweet Potato Insect and Nematode Management Research Update”, Dr. Julien Beuzelin, Asst. Prof. LSU AgCenter Dean Lee Research Station and Dr. Tara Smith, Sweet Potato Research Station
11:00 – “Mississippi Sweet Potato Industry Update”, Dr. Stephen Meyers, MS State University, Sweet Potato Extension Specialist
11:20 – “Louisiana Sweet Potato Industry Update”, Ms. Mavis Finger, LSU AgCenter Sweet Potato Specialist
11:45 – Lunch (Sponsored by Dow AgroSciences, Mr. Jerome Otto)
12:30 – Depart for Sweet Potato Research Station
Field Tour:
The winter issue of Louisiana Sweet Potato News is now available.
Louisiana sweet potato producers are harvesting an average crop this year and as of November 16, 2012 approximately 95% of the crop had been harvested statewide. Sweet potato planting in Louisiana began in late April and extended into July in a few cases. Planting conditions were favorable for the majority of plantings; however some producers dealt with heat and drought conditions on a portion of the planted crop. Generally speaking, planting conditions were much improved compared to the 2011 season. Later plantings did require supplemental irrigation in some cases to achieve adequate soil moisture to plant the crop. Approximately 75% of Louisiana’s sweet potato acreage can be irrigated. Most producers across the state received occasional rainfall throughout the production season which benefited crop development. Louisiana producers planted approximately 11,000 acres of sweet potatoes in 2012, a 15% decrease compared to 2011, according to USDA: NASS statistics.
Harvest of the crop began in late August with most producers initiating harvest operations around the 10th of September. Rainfall received in conjunction with Hurricane Isaac ranged from 1-5 inches across the state. Losses attributed to the storm were minimal with some loss occurring in low lying areas. Weather conditions during the harvest season have been favorable for the most part. The majority of yields reported thus far have been average to slightly above average.
In-season insect pressure has been light overall during 2012. For the second consecutive year, there have been few reports of sugarcane beetle damage. Many producers adjusted their insect control programs following the 2010 season, when several producers realized excessive loss from this insect. The LSU AgCenter was awarded a $75,000 Specialty Crop Grant from the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry in 2012. The proposed research will focus on elucidating the biology and ecology and further refining management strategies for the sugarcane beetle.
The LSU AgCenter released two new sweet potato varieties in 2012 out of Dr. Don LaBonte’s breeding program. ‘LA 07-146’ is a deep orange flesh, red to slightly purple skinned sweet potato. The red color is attractive, but untested in the fresh market. Sugar content is similar to the Evangeline variety; however it has a more firm texture when baked. Production characteristics in plant beds are similar to ‘Beauregard’. Its most salient attribute is yield- it consistently yields 15-20 % higher in comparison to ‘Beauregard’ (U.S. #1 and Total yield) – an obvious strength. However, shape is not as consistent as ‘Orleans’; some striations (grooves) and flat sides are found due to heavy storage root set. Shape is slightly improved over ‘Beauregard’, but root to root variability does exist. The days to harvest are similar to ‘Beauregard’. Disease characteristics are similar to ‘Beauregard’ except for higher levels of resistance to root knot nematode. ‘LA 07-146’ is new in many ways. It is licensed to ConAgra Foods given its superior processing characteristics. In LA, it can also be grown as a fresh market variety. Out of state production is restricted and requires a license from ConAgra Foods. A name will be given once it is sold in the fresh market.
‘Orleans’ is an orange flesh, light rose skinned sweet potato. It is a twin to ‘Beauregard’ in many ways. Skin and flesh color are similar to ‘Beauregard’ and the sugar profiles are identical to ‘Beauregard’ so flavor is unchanged. Production characteristics in plant beds and the field (days to harvest) are similar to ‘Beauregard’. Same for disease resistance – just like ‘Beauregard’. Even the plant canopy is similar in appearance. So what makes ‘Orleans’ different? Well, yield is not really any different from ‘Beauregard’ – in fact you might see fewer jumbos, but the grade out is improved due to quality. It is more uniform in shape so what we see is an improvement in “rank”. ‘Orleans’ more often than not will edge out ‘Beauregard’ in yield of U.S. #1’s. This is important because the fresh market industry is demanding greater root to root consistency in shape. ‘Orleans’ has a remarkable similarity to ‘Beauregard’ in the way it is grown – a plus to growers. The improved shape should give producers and advantage in the markets and ultimately contribute to improved profits. ‘Orleans’ is also a patented and protected variety that is being licensed through the LSU AgCenter. There are no restrictions on marketing the variety into fresh market or processing venues. Please contact the LSU AgCenter for more information.
Contributors: Dr. Don La Bonte,
The LSU AgCenter Sweet Potato Research Station Field Day will be held on Thursday, August 16, 2012 at the research station in Chase, LA. The field day will begin at 7:45 a.m. and will conclude with lunch. We are planning for a very productive and informative day that will feature updates on various aspects of sweet potato production and pest management. Two new variety releases, ‘Orleans’ and LA 07-146 will be featured, as well as a newly designed bulk harvester. All are invited and encouraged to attend. Please direct questions and comments to Tara Smith, 318-557-9501 or tsmith@agcenter.lsu.edu.
Please see below a link to a new publication on optimizing soil moisture and irrigation management. This is the second in a series of publications highlighting different aspects of improving sweet potato production efficiency.
The LSU AgCenter Sweet Potato Research Station Field Day will be held on Thursday, August 16, 2012 at the research station in Chase, LA. The field day will begin at 7:45 a.m. and will conclude with lunch. We are planning for a very productive and informative day that will feature updates on various aspects of sweet potato production and pest management. Two new variety releases, ‘Orleans’ and LA 07-146 will be featured, as well as a newly designed bulk harvester. All are invited and encouraged to attend. Please direct questions and comments to Tara Smith, 318-557-9501 or tsmith@agcenter.lsu.edu.
‘Orleans’ is an exciting new variety developed by the Louisiana State University AgCenter – the originators of the world class ‘Beauregard’ variety. In many ways ‘Orleans’ is a twin to ‘Beauregard’ – and at the same time an improvement. The smooth light rose skin and deep orange flesh is indistinguishable from ‘Beauregard’ so retail customers are still drawn as before. Even the sugar content is the same (11% total sugars in a baked product) so the terrific ‘Beauregard’ flavor is unchanged. So what makes ‘Orleans’ so special? Simply put…shape is outstanding. Root to root consistency in ‘Orleans’ is superior to ‘Beauregard’. Growers don’t see a total yield increase, but realize a higher percent of quality roots going into a fresh market pack. Our data shows a meaningful increase in U.S. #1 production over that of ‘Beauregard’ combined with a superior pack the industry now expects. Growers realize shipping quality is paramount and ‘Orleans’ is quickly gaining a presence in the production field – and very soon the grocery shelf. We held a very special name in reserve – for a superior variety to come along!
Information provided by Dr. Don La Bonte, LSU AgCenter Sweet Potato Breeder
Please see below a link to a new publication on sweet potato storage root initiation. This is the first in a series of publications highlighting different aspects of improving sweet potato production efficiency.
Tara P. Smith
Louisiana Sweet Potatoes 