Effect of flowering slips on the yield of sweet potato (Ipomoea batata (L.) Lam.) tubers

Creating a nursery for sweet potato cultivation in tropical and subtropical areas including Okinawa is not necessary because planting is possible throughout the year. In general, sweet potato blooms under natural conditions in tropical and subtropical areas. Sweet potatoes are grown from non-flowering slips, which farmers generally select from a field of a previous cropping. Although the selection and collection of non-flowering slips are very time-consuming, the effect on yield when flowering slips are used is unknown. This study sought to investigate the effect of flowering on sweet potato yield. The results revealed no significant difference in yield between flowering and non-flowering slips. This can significantly reduce the preparation time of slips, shorten the working time of the farmers and is useful for sweet potato cultivation in tropical and subtropical areas. Key words: Convolvulaceae, sweet potato cultivation, weevil damage.