Bioscience Methods 2025, Vol.16, No.5, 262-269 http://bioscipublisher.com/index.php/bm 262 Review and Progress Open Access Research Progress and Trends in the Integration of Agronomy and Mechanization for Sweet Potato Cultivation in Hilly and Mountainous Areas Xiaowei Wang1,2 1 Longquan Sheyuan Agricultural Co., Ltd, Longquan, 323700, Zhejiang, China 2 Zhejiang Agronomist College, Hangzhou, 310021, Zhejiang, China Corresponding email: 1926937216@qq.com Bioscience Methods, 2025, Vol.16, No.5 doi: 10.5376/bm.2025.16.0025 Received: 13 Aug., 2025 Accepted: 25 Sep., 2025 Published: 18 Oct., 2025 Copyright © 2025 Wang, This is an open access article published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Preferred citation for this article: Wang X.W., 2025, Research progress and trends in the integration of agronomy and mechanization for sweet potato cultivation in hilly and mountainous areas, Bioscience Methods, 16(5): 262-269 (doi: 10.5376/bm.2025.16.0025) Abstract This study examined the main difficulties in planting sweet potatoes in these areas, including terrain limitations, suboptimal soil fertility, and labor shortages. It systematically reviewed the latest advances in agronomic practices, focusing on efforts in variety improvement, integrated water and fertilizer management, and soil enhancement technology. It explored the progress of mechanization, with a focus on innovation in planting and harvesting machinery, soil consolidation, and intelligent technology. Taking the hilly areas along the southeast coast of China as an example, it demonstrated successful models for integrating and improving agronomy and mechanization, demonstrated the impact of policy support and cooperation frameworks, emphasized the necessity of synergistic development of agronomy and mechanization methods to optimize the productivity and sustainability of sweet potato cultivation in hilly areas, and finally outlined future research directions. This study aims to strengthen the integration of agronomic strategies and mechanization for efficient cultivation of sweet potatoes in challenging terrains. Keywords Sweet potato cultivation; Hilly regions; Mechanization; Soil fertility management; Integrated farming systems 1 Introduction Sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam.) is a versatile and globally significant crop, ranking as the sixth most important food crop worldwide (Escobar-Puentes et al., 2022). Its adaptability to various environmental conditions and its rich nutritional profile make it a valuable agricultural commodity. In particular, sweet potato has shown potential in suppressing invasive plant species, which is crucial for maintaining agricultural sustainability and ecosystem health (Shen et al., 2015). The crop's competitive growth characteristics and ability to thrive in diverse soil conditions have been highlighted in several studies, demonstrating its utility in integrated weed management strategies (Shen et al., 2019; Shen et al., 2023). Despite the recognized benefits of sweet potato cultivation, there are significant challenges associated with its agronomy and mechanization, especially in hilly regions. These areas often present unique obstacles such as soil erosion, limited mechanization options, and varying microclimates. Despite these challenges, sweet potato remains a crucial crop due to its adaptability and nutritional value, making it an essential component of agricultural systems in these areas (Sapakhova et al., 2023). The cultivation of sweet potatoes in such regions requires innovative approaches to overcome the inherent difficulties and optimize production (Da Silva et al., 2023). This study reviews the latest advances in agricultural and mechanized cultivation of sweet potatoes, with a focus on hilly areas, seeking innovative practices and technologies that can overcome specific challenges in these fields, providing actionable insights for farmers, agronomists, and policy makers, and ultimately contributing to a more sustainable and efficient sweet potato planting system. The aim is to provide information for broader agricultural and ecological management practices by understanding the competitive advantages of sweet potatoes in suppressing invasive species.
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