Project
IPM Systems Development of Sweetpotato, Ipomoea batatas
Details
Project Code:
Not Available
Start Date:
1993
End Date:
1998
CRSP Phase:
Phase 1
Budget:
Not Available
Countries:
Jamaica
Participants
Lead University:
Not Available
Other Partners:
USDA (US); CARDI, Rural Agricultural Development Authority (Jamaica)
Principal Investigator(s):
None
Co-Principal Investigator(s):
Janet Lawrence (Jamaica); Mike Jackson, Janice Bohac (US)
Overview
The focus of sweetpotato IPM research has been to evaluate the potential of USDA multiple pest resistant sweetpotato breeding lines and selective low toxic compounds for managing the two major pests, the sweetpotato weevil and the newly emergent soil grub.
In an effort to disseminate the current sweetpotato weevil IPM technology of mass trapping male weevils with high doses of female sweetpotato weevil sex pheromone in combination with cultural practices to farmers/agricultural students and extension in major growing areas, interactive technology transfer sessions were conducted. Over the past seven months over 200 persons have been exposed to the technology.
Objectives
To evaluate the potential of USDA multiple pest resistant sweetpotato breeding lines and selective low toxic compounds for managing the two major pests, the sweetpotato weevil and the newly emergent soil grub.
Outcomes
Significant strides were made in the development of a rating scale to measure levels of resistance. The scale greatly assisted in identifying variation in the levels of insect resistance among USDA lines and local varieities in replicated field studies. Under Jamaican growing conditions, USDA breeding lines produced yields comparable to local lines, exhibited varying levels of resistance to sweetpotato weevil and the soil grub, and met market and consumer criteria. One of the most promising lines identified was "Picadito".
