Sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas L.) is a major food crop cultivated worldwide, serving as a low-cost, high-carbohydrate staple in developing countries such as Zimbabwe. However, the white-fleshed sweet potato varieties traditionally grown in Zimbabwe are low in beta-carotene, limiting their ability to combat vitamin A deficiency (VAD), a significant nutritional and social issue in the region. While orange-fleshed sweet potato offers potential as a vitamin A source, empirical comparative data on its agronomic performance and consumer acceptability under Zimbabwean conditions are scarce. This study aimed to identify locally adaptable sweet potato varieties by comparing their growth characteristics, h arvest t raits, d ry m atter properties, an d sensory a ttributes. A 1 32-day f ield trial was conducted at the KOPIA Zimbabwe Centre in Hatcliffe, Harare, using two orange-fleshed varieties (Zambezi and Beauregard) and one white-fleshed variety (Chingova). Growth traits, including the number of nodes, vine length, and vine diameter, were measured from 40 to 100 days after planting. At harvest, fresh weight, dry matter weight, and dry matter percentage (DM%) were determined. Sensory evaluation involved 50 consumers who rated the varieties on a 7-point hedonic scale after a preliminary test established a 30-minute cooking time. Among the orange-fleshed varieties, Zambezi exhibited the most vigorous vegetative growth and higher fresh weight than Beauregard, although within-variety variation was observed. Chingova showed more uniform harvest traits. Beauregard displayed high DM% in some vines, but with notable variability. In the sensory evaluation, Zambezi received significantly higher scores for taste, texture, and overall acceptability than Beauregard. Female participants specifically rated Zambezi higher for sweetness and overall acceptability. These findings suggest that Zambezi demonstrated relatively superior agronomic performance and consumer acceptance under Zimbabwean conditions, providing a basis for further on-farm validation trials.

ABSTRACT
서 언
재료 및 방법
    1. 실험 지역의 특성
    2. 실험 재료 및 설계
    3. 파종 및 시비량
    4. 생육 특성 측정
    5. 수확 특성 측정
    6. 식미 평가회
결과 및 고찰
    1. 생육 특성
    2. 생체중 및 건물중
    3. 통계 분석
적 요
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
REFERENCES

• 박지훈(KOPIA 짐바브웨 센터) | Jihun Bak (KOPIA Zimbabwe Centre, Harare, Zimbabwe) Corresponding author
• 박성호(KOPIA 짐바브웨 센터) | Sungho Park (KOPIA Zimbabwe Centre, Harare, Zimbabwe)
• Linda Munyaradzi(짐바브웨 과학⋅산업 연구개발센터(SIRDC))