Innovating a consumer awareness of sweet potato: Industry, research and consumer adoption issues

Australian sweetpotato production has grown remarkably (1700%) in the last16 years. Growers currently market 75 000 t per annum, worth $80-90 million at farm gate. Gold-fleshed dessert types dominate (90% of total production), almost exclusively cv. Beauregard, bred at Louisiana State University Agricultural Center (LSU AgCenter) in the USA. Australian sweetpotato growers desire alternative cultivars, to reduce risks associated with relying on one genotype. They also wish to expand demand, by offering diverse products. Recent research identified Evangeline, another LSU AgCenter cultivar, as an alternate gold sweetpotato possessing attributes desired by consumers (regular, smooth shape; highly coloured skin and flesh). In experimental and grower evaluations across key Australian growing regions in Queensland and New South Wales, Evangeline produced marketable yields similar to Beauregard. Evangeline had a high proportion of premium small-medium sweetpotatoes. In sandy locations, Evangeline also demonstrated superior root-knot nematode resistance to Beauregard. However, compared to Beauregard, Evangeline had greater risks of splitting, or over-purple skin colouration, at harvest, particularly when dug in Winter/Spring. Initial evidence suggested splitting was more common with increased fertiliser nitrogen inputs. Split roots or off-specification colours are unmarketable; the associated risks are currently substantial impediments to adoption of Evangeline by Australian sweetpotato growers. Scientists from Agri-Science Queensland and Central Queensland University are currently partnering with Australian Sweetpotato Growers (Inc.) to develop strategies for maximising performance and mitigating risks of growing Evangeline in Australian conditions.This will enhance industry profitability and resilience; improve understanding of sweetpotato physiology; and increase diversity and quality of sweetpotato products available to consumers.