Agricultural Practices for D.bulbifera

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Questions and Answers

Match the planting material with their characteristics:

Aerial tubers = Best planting material for D.bulbifera Large setts = Produce large total yields Healthy tubers = Used for planting setts Diseased plants = Marked to prevent spreading diseases

Match the disease symptoms to the correct disease type:

Virus = Internal brown spotting Nematodes = Vertical cracks

Match the advantages of pre-sprouting with their descriptions:

Earlier yield = Helps produce a quicker harvest Homogeneous stand = Ensures uniform plant growth Extra time = Requires additional cultivation time Extra care = Needs careful handling during planting

Match the symptom with its related observation:

Leaf curling = Check leaf underside for insects Mottling = Indication of virus infection Soft tubers = Sign of nematode damage Brown spotting = Common symptom in tubers affected by virus Signup and view all the answers

Match the recommended sett weight with its impact:

150-500 grams = Recommended for high net yields Larger setts = Sprout better under adverse conditions Smaller setts = Less viable for plant health Healthy plants = Essential for quality planting material Signup and view all the answers

Match the treatment of cut pieces with their purposes:

Dusted with ash = Prevents rot Washed sand = Cleans planting material Fungicides = Protects from fungal infection Dried in shady place = Prevents sun damage Signup and view all the answers

Match the yields with their definitions:

Total yield = Overall production from planting Net yield = Total yield minus planting material Planting material = Foundation for healthy growth Diseased plants = Source of poor crop performance Signup and view all the answers

Match the methods of rapid multiplication with their context:

Shortages of planting material = Need for rapid supply Field selection = Informs about tuber health Alternate layers in pits = Facilitates pre-sprouting Extra care in planting = Necessary for sprouted setts Signup and view all the answers

Match the type of sweet potato vine cutting with its yield potential:

Tip cuttings = Highest yield Middle cuttings = Moderate yield Base cuttings = Lowest yield Old vine cuttings = Very low yield Signup and view all the answers

Match the recommended length of vine cuttings with its measurement:

15-20 cm = Too short 30-40 cm = Recommended length 50-60 cm = Too long 10-15 cm = Unreliable length Signup and view all the answers

Match the age of the sweet potato plant with its cutting quality:

2-3 months = High quality cuttings 4-5 months = Lower quality cuttings 1 month = Very low quality cuttings 6 months = Unsuitable cuttings Signup and view all the answers

Match the disease to the corresponding planting material condition to avoid:

Leaf scab = Avoid affected plants Little leaf disease = Ensure cuttings are healthy Weevil infestation = Check for eggs and larvae Diseased material = Treat with the right chemicals Signup and view all the answers

Match the method for preparing vine cuttings with its purpose:

Sprouting tubers = Producing disease-free cuttings Damp shady storage = Hardening cuttings Selecting young plants = Ensuring higher yields Using old vines = Risking lower yields Signup and view all the answers

Match the characteristic of healthy planting material with its importance:

Free from diseases = Promotes better growth Good length = Enhances planting success Young age = Increases yield potential Careful selection = Reduces pest presence Signup and view all the answers

Match the type of propagation method with its description:

Tuber cuttings = Less common method Vine cuttings = Preferred method for farmers Seed propagation = Not suitable for sweet potatoes Vegetative propagation = Involves plant parts Signup and view all the answers

Match the reason for avoiding certain cuttings with its consequences:

Using weevil-infested cuttings = Lower yields Selecting from unhealthy plants = Increased disease risk Cuttings from old vines = Weak growth Ignoring length recommendations = Inconsistent results Signup and view all the answers

Match the following tuber skin colors of sweet potato with their corresponding descriptions:

White = A light color with no distinct tint Pink = A soft and light red shade Red = A bold and vibrant tone Copper = A metallic, reddish-brown appearance Signup and view all the answers

Match the following tuber flesh colors of sweet potato with their corresponding descriptions:

White = A clean and pale interior Yellow = A rich, buttery hue Purple = A deep, vibrant color Combination = Multiple colors present within the flesh Signup and view all the answers

Match the following temperature ranges with their sweet potato growth implications:

24°C or more = Optimum growth 10°C or below = Damage to plants Cool weather = Growth restriction Between 10°C and 24°C = Suboptimal conditions Signup and view all the answers

Match the following rainfall levels with their effects on sweet potato growth:

75-100 cm = Best annual rainfall for maturity Low humidity = Favorable for crop maturity Water shortage at 50-60 days = Reduces yields significantly Irrigation of 112-150 cm = Recommended for successful growth Signup and view all the answers

Match the following soil types with their characteristics for sweet potato cultivation:

Well-drained sandy loams = Ideal for cultivation Heavier soils = Good if mounds or ridges are made Soil with high organic matter = Preferable for growth pH 5.6 - 6.6 = Optimal soil acidity Signup and view all the answers

Match the following altitude ranges with their effects on sweet potato growth:

Sea level = Good growth and yield 2100 metres = Maximum altitude for cultivation Low altitude = Suitable for sweet potato growth High altitude = Allows for diverse cultivation Signup and view all the answers

Match the following day length characteristics with their implications for sweet potato cultivars:

Short days = Promote root development Low light intensity = Favorable for highest yields Dry season (May-August) = Corresponds to short days south of the equator Long days = Not preferred by most cultivars Signup and view all the answers

Match the following sweet potato traits with their corresponding features:

Apical dominance = Strongest after harvest No dormancy period = Continuous growth Drought tolerance = Better than most root crops Irrigation needs = 4-8 irrigations recommended Signup and view all the answers

Match the following tuber crops with their primary characteristics:

Sweet Potato = Rich in Vitamin A Cassava = Source of starch and flour Yams = High in dietary fiber Aroids = Can be used for ornamental purposes Signup and view all the answers

Match the following authors with their corresponding works:

V. Lebot = Tropical Root and Tuber Crops I.C. Onwueme = Field Crop Production in Tropical Africa W.P. Gerlach = Plant Diseases of Western Samoa J.W. Purseglove = Tropical Crops: Monocotyledons Signup and view all the answers

Match the following references with their publication years:

Lebot = 2009 Onwueme & Sinha = 1991 Gerlach = 1988 Purseglove = 1972 Signup and view all the answers

Match the following tuber crops with their notable uses:

Cassava = Used for tapioca Sweet Potato = Used in pies and desserts Yams = Commonly boiled or roasted Aroids = Traditionally used in soups Signup and view all the answers

Match the following documents with their availability status:

Lebot 2009 = 1 copy in Pac & 1 copy in Main Onwueme & Sinha 1991 = 1 copy in Main Gerlach 1988 = 1 copy in Pac Purseglove 1972 = 1 copy in Reserve Signup and view all the answers

Match the following tuber crop characteristics with their effects:

High starch content = Longer shelf life Rich in vitamins = Enhances nutritional value High fiber content = Promotes digestive health Low water usage = More sustainable cultivation Signup and view all the answers

Match the following tuber crops with their cultivation regions:

Cassava = Widely grown in Africa Sweet Potato = Commonly grown in Asia Yams = Typically found in tropical regions Aroids = Cultivated in wet and marshy areas Signup and view all the answers

Match the following references with their focus area:

Nelson & Elevitch = Sweet Potato production and marketing Bokanga = Post-harvest operations for Cassava Purseglove (1968) = Tropical Crops: Dicotyledons Purseglove (1972) = Tropical Crops: Monocotyledons Signup and view all the answers

Match the following vine planting methods with their descriptions:

Planting on flat = Recommended when rats are a serious problem Planting on mounds = Useful in shallow or poorly drained soil Planting on ridges = Involves wider spacing between cuttings Spacing adjustments = Required based on vine type and season Signup and view all the answers

Match the following factors affecting sweet potato yield with their explanations:

Dry matter partitioning = Impairs tuber development Leaf scab severity = Worse in wet season conditions Long days = Hinders tuber formation during rainy periods Low oxygen content = Unfavorable for tuber growth in wet soil Signup and view all the answers

Match the following sweet potato spacing recommendations with their seasons:

1m between ridges = Recommended in the wet season 30 cm between cuttings = Used in the dry season 40-50 cm between planting positions = Applicable in wet season 90 cm between planting points = Used in Tonga's mounds Signup and view all the answers

Match the following sweet potato planting times with their characteristics:

Year-round planting = Dependent on rain and disease Dry season planting = Usually yields higher Wet season planting = Faces challenges with vine development High rainfall islands = Yield achievable mainly in dry season Signup and view all the answers

Match the following quantities of cuttings per planting position with their planting methods:

One cutting = Planted at standard spacing in wet season Three to five cuttings = Fitted in wider spacing in Tonga More cuttings = Used at wider spacings from standard recommendations Signup and view all the answers

Match the following locations with their specific planting recommendations for sweet potato:

Pacific region = Typically plants on mounds or ridges Samoa = Experiences reasonable yields in dry season Tonga = Utilizes wider spacing on ridges High rainfall islands = Require adjustments in planting strategies Signup and view all the answers

Match the following issues during sweet potato cultivation with their consequences:

Rats = Drive the choice to plant on flat Poorly drained soil = Makes mounds a preferred method Excessive rainfall = Contributes to low yield during rainy season Vine type variation = Leads to spacing adjustments needed Signup and view all the answers

Match the following growing conditions with their possible effects on sweet potato growth:

High rainfall = Less favorable for tuber formation Dry conditions = Lead to better yields Vine cutting hardening = Prepares cuttings before planting Seasonal planting = Influences yield and growth characteristics Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Planting Materials and Techniques

Cutting Preparation: Dust cut pieces with ash, well-washed sand, or fungicides; dry in a shady location for 2-3 days.
Preferred Planting Materials: Aerial tubers are considered the best planting material for D. bulbifera.
Optimal Size for Planting: Setts weighing 150-500 grams are recommended for high net yields; larger setts sprout better under adverse conditions.

Health and Disease Management

Source of Planting Material: Only use tubers from healthy plants; field selection is crucial to ensure the quality of planting setts.
Diseases of Concern: Major plant health issues include viruses (symptoms: vein banding, mottling, leaf distortion) and nematodes (symptoms: vertical cracks, tuber skin flaking, softness).

Pre-sprouting Process

Preparation of Setts: Cut and treat setts then bury in a well-drained pit layered with soil.
Advantages:
- Produces earlier yields.
- Promotes a homogeneous stand for better growth.
Disadvantages:
- Requires extra time and labor.
- Needs careful handling during planting of sprouted setts.

Sweet Potato Cultivar Characteristics

Tuber Skin Colors: White, tan, pink, red, or copper.
Tuber Flesh Colors: Can be white, yellow, purple, or combinations.
Growth Characteristics: No dormancy period; apical dominance decreases with storage.

Environmental Requirements for Sweet Potatoes

Temperature Preferences: Optimal growth at temperatures of 24°C or above; damage occurs below 10°C.
Geographical Range: Grows best between latitudes 40°N and 32°S, with varying production systems.
Rainfall Needs: Requires an annual rainfall of 75-100 cm; can tolerate drought but yields are affected if water is scarce during the first 50-60 days post-planting.
Soil Conditions: Thrives in well-drained sandy loams with high organic matter; optimal pH 5.6 - 6.6.
Altitude Flexibility: Grows well at altitudes from sea level to 2100 meters.

Propagation Techniques for Sweet Potatoes

Methods: Propagated via tuber cuttings or vine cuttings; farmers typically use vine cuttings.
Best Planting Materials: Tip cuttings yield better; length of cuttings should be 30-40 cm.
Plant Health: Use cuttings from young, healthy plants (2-3 months old) for higher yields; older plants are less viable.

Management Practices

Planting Methods: Sweet potatoes can be planted flat or on mounds/ridges, preferred for shallow or poorly drained soils.
Timing for Planting: Planting can occur year-round, but the highest yields are often in the dry season; excessive rain affects yield negatively.
Spacing Guidelines: Recommended spacing varies between 1m between ridges and 30-50 cm between cuttings; adjust accordingly during wet and dry seasons.

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Description

This quiz explores the best practices for planting D.bulbifera, focusing on the preparation of cut pieces and the significance of sett size. Understand why large planting materials produce higher total yields but may not guarantee higher net yields. Learn how proper handling and choice of planting materials can optimize agricultural outcomes.