Evaluation of the sweet potato cultivars, in Nova Xavantina - Mato Grosso, Brazil / Avaliação de cultivares de batata-doce em Nova Xavantina - Mato Grosso, Brasil

Abstract

Sweet potato is one of the world’s most important crops, given its high productivity and short growing cycle, being ready for harvest in 150–180 days. It is also considered to be a viable alternative to sugarcane for the production of ethanol. The present study investigated the productivity of five sweet potato cultivars, their potential for the production of ethanol, and their resistance to insects pests. The study was conducted in an experimental plot in the municipality of Nova Xavantina, in the state of Mato Grosso, central Brazil. The experimental design was based on randomized blocks with four repetitions, 40 plants per plot, and five treatments, which were the different sweet potato cultivars (Vilma, Carolina Vitória, Nataly, Amanda, and Duda) earmarked for the production of ethanol. Under the conditions of the experiment, the Nataly cultivar presented the best results in terms of the biomass produced, resistance to ground-dwelling insect pests, and productivity, and was thus the sweet potato cultivar considered to be most appropriate for the production of ethanol in the study region.