Sweet potato harvest lags
Nov 3, 2009 10:11 AM, By David Bennett, Farm Press Editorial Staff
Smith says producers have found that the Evangeline variety — released in 2007 and planted on about 1,500 acres this year — has done well this growing season. “2008 was the first time we were going to get a limited commercial-scale look at the variety and then the hurricanes ruined any opportunity of doing so.
“But one thing we noticed last year is Evangeline seemed to tolerate saturated soil conditions better. We’re seeing the same thing in 2009.”
And in areas where Evangeline has been harvested, yield and quality have been “very good. Producers seem pleased with what they’re seeing and there have been a lot of inquiries about seed availability in 2010.”
The LSU AgCenter is also working with Mississippi, Texas and Arkansas producers under material transfer agreements. So far, says Smith “it appears producers outside Louisiana are also pleased with Evangeline.”
For more on Smith’s work, see http://deltafarmpress.com/news/sweet-potatoes-1105/index.html.
e-mail: dbennett@farmpress.com
