Effects of Transplanting and Harvesting Dates on Characteristics of Yield and Quality of Storage Roots of Sweetpotato (Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam)
The effect of transplanting and harvesting dates on growth, yield, and quality of sweetpotato varieties was studied. Three sweetpotato varieties, Yulmi, Singeonmi, and Dahomi, were transplanted on 23 Apr., 21 May, 5 June, 15 June, 25 June, 5 July, 15 July, and 25 July. Fresh vine weight and marketable storage root yield of the three varieties were the highest in transplanting plots on 23 April and 21 May, respectively, and those tended to decrease when transplanting dates were late after May. GDD (Growing Degree Days) and cumulative radiation seemed to be related to marketable storage root yield. Number of marketable storage root per plant, average weight of marketable storage root, and marketable storage root yield were significantly different according to transplanting dates. Marketable storage root yield showed significantly positive correlations with fresh vine weight, number of marketable storage roots, and average weight of marketable storage roots. Hardness and dry matter content of storage root showed significantly positive correlations with starch content and decreased with late transplanting dates in Yulmi and Singeonmi varieties. Pasting temperature showed significantly positive correlations with soluble solid content, dry matter content, and amylose content, but it showed significantly negative correlations with breakdown. Setback was significantly different among varieties, but it was not significantly different in transplanting dates.