Molecular Soil Biology 2025, Vol.16, No.4, 175-187 http://bioscipublisher.com/index.php/msb 1 80 5.3 Impact of drought and waterlogging on yield Drought and waterlogging are two critical abiotic stresses that can severely affect sweet potato yield. Drought stress, particularly during the late-season growth phase, can reduce photosynthetic rates and hinder the accumulation of biomass in storage roots, leading to lower yields (Zhou et al., 2023). Conversely, waterlogging can cause root hypoxia, reducing nutrient uptake and leading to poor plant growth and tuber quality. Efficient water management practices, such as the use of drip irrigation and appropriate irrigation scheduling, are essential to mitigate the adverse effects of both drought and waterlogging (Waqas et al., 2020; Li et al., 2021). 6 Pest and Disease Management 6.1 Common pests and their control measures Sweet potato cultivation faces numerous challenges, particularly from pests such as the sweet potato weevil (Cylas formicarius), which is among the most detrimental. Effective management strategies for this pest include the use of pest-free planting material., which can reduce the risk of introducing pests into new areas. Disinfecting planting materials with insecticides has also proven to be a crucial measure. Field trials have shown that these methods can significantly reduce weevil damage and increase economic yield (Rahman and Sultana, 2005). Furthermore, the deployment of sex pheromone traps has emerged as an innovative approach to monitor and manage sweet potato weevil populations. Another common pest, the sweet potato whitefly (Bemisia tabaci), also poses significant threat to sweet potato health. Management of this pest can be effectively achieved through the use of insect exclusion netting (IEN) and UV-reflective mulch. These managements have been shown to reduce whitefly populations and lower virus incidence under both greenhouse and field conditions (LaTora et al., 2022). 6.2 Disease prevention and management strategies Diseases caused by bacteria, fungi, and viruses can impact sweet potato growth and development. Utilizing disease-free planting material is a fundamental approach to preventing the spread of diseases（Vinayaka and Misra, 2012）In general., bacterial diseases do not impact sweet potato production. However，fungal diseases ，such as black rot (Ceratocystis fimbriata), Fusar-ium wilt (Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. batatas)，foot rot (Plen-odomus destruens), Fusarium root rot and stem canker and surface rot (Fusarium oxysporum, Fusarium solani) that occurre in field production, severely influence the quality and yield of sweet potato. The most challenging diseases of sweet potato are those caused by viruses (Table 1). The use of disease-free planting material is a fundamental approach to preventing the spread of diseases. For instance, the use of cisgenically modified potato varieties resistant to late blight has been shown to reduce the need for fungicide applications by 80%~90%, demonstrating the potential for similar strategies in sweet potato cultivation (Kessel et al., 2018). Additionally, cultural practices such as crop rotation and the destruction of infested crop residues are crucial in managing disease spread (Rahman and Sultana, 2005). Table 1 High yield sweet potato disease prevention and control plan Disease type Pathogen Key symptoms Management strategies Fungal Diseases Black rot Ceratocystis fimbriata Dark circular lesions on tubers, vine wilting Use disease-free slips; crop rotation Fusarium wilt Fusarium oxysporumf. sp. batatas Yellowing leaves, vascular discoloration Resistant varieties; soil fumigation Foot rot Plenodomus destruens Stem base rot, plant collapse Remove infected plants; avoid waterlogging Fusarium root rot Fusarium solani Root decay, stunted growth Improve soil drainage;fungicide application Viral Diseases Sweet Potato Feathery Mottle Virus (SPFMV) Leaf mottling, stunting Virus-free planting material; vector control Sweet Potato Chlorotic Stunt Virus (SPCSV) Yellowing, reduced tuber size Roguing infected plants; resistant cultivars
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjQ4ODYzNA==