Developing Sweet potatoes That Are Fit to Fight Pests

Farmers in the southeastern United States struggle with the invasive guava root-knot nematode, a microscopic roundworm, which infects and damages a variety of crops, particularly sweet potatoes. 

To combat this worm, ARS researchers at the U.S. Vegetable Laboratory in Charleston, SC, have identified a sweet potato line from the agency’s expansive germplasm collection that has shown high levels of resistance to the guava root-knot nematode as well as resistance to other crop insects.

Researchers at the ARS U.S. Vegetable Laboratory in Charleston, SC, are identifying new sources of sweet potatoes, watermelons, and peppers that are resistant to certain pests that cause substantial damage each year to these crops. One type of pest, the guava root-knot nematode, causes millions in yield losses every year, which affects both farmers and consumers.

Researchers have identified one promising sweet potato cultivar – USDA-10-185 – that has shown high levels of resistance to the guava root-knot nematode as well as resistance to other crop insects. If approved for release, this sweet potato could be a game changer for farmers.