Technology for an intensive production of sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam)cuttings

The work was developed at the Research Institute of Tropical Root and Tuber Crops, Bananas and Plantains (INIVIT), in Santo Domingo municipality, Villa Clara province, with the aim of studying a new technology for sweet potato cutting production. Tuberous roots ranging from 80 to 115g from the commercial clone "INIVIT B2-2005" were planted and covered with a 3-5 cm thick substrate layer in 1 m wide and 15 m long chambers of Seed Reproduction Centres (CRAS) for the two seasons. The substrate consisted of a mixture of soil and organic matter in a 1: 1 ratio. Cuttings were cut with a knife when they reached a 25 cm height. The cutting production per m(2) was evaluated and cuttings from the new technology were compared with those from the traditional technology. The results showed that in the cutting production per m(2), the highest yield values were obtained + during the spring season. A total of 1390 cuttings per m(2) were obtained in nine cuts, with a cut frequency between seven and ten days. In winter season, 764 cuttings per m(2) in nine cuts were obtained with similar frequency. The propagation material obtained in the new technology was exceeded by 22% in relation to the production potential from conventional technology. The new technology proved to be more cost-effective to traditional technology at 89.10 pesos for each 10.0 of cuttings produced.