The National Sweetpotato Information Center at Tuskegee University

Abstract

ABSTRACT Tuskegee University's involvement with the sweetpotato was initiated in the late 19th century by Dr. George Washington Carver. Carver's publications on the sweetpotato include information on the history and varieties of sweetpotatoes, their cultivation, insect and fungal problems, and their treatment, harvesting, storing, canning, and preparation for human consumption and animal feed. Carver developed more than 200 products from the sweetpotato. Today sweetpotato research at Tuskegee University includes: biotechnology and genetic engineering, development of growing systems for long term space missions, health benefits and utilization of sweetpotato greens, effects of elevated carbon dioxide levels on sweetpotato growth and biochemistry, breeding new varieties, new food and non-food uses, new market niches, non-chemical pest control, modeling sweetpotato growth, sustainable cropping systems, degradation of foliage and roots to form sugars and ethanol, and use in international development. The National Sweetpotato Information Center (NSPIC) was established in 1993 with funding from USDA as a cooperative effort of Tuskegee University, the National Agricultural Library, and the University of Illinois. NSPIC goals include: materials collection; development of computer databases (materials, research and expert databases); digitization of full-text, non-copyrighted sweetpotato materials (using CD-ROM); teaching students and faculty to utilize NSPIC resources; and development of a network of people and institutions involved in sweetpotato research, production and utilization.