Impact of Organic and Inorganic Fertilizers on Yield and Interaction Effects in 10 Sweet Potato ( Ipomoea batatas L.) Varieties Cultivated in the Southern USA

This study evaluated the effects of different fertilizer treatments on the growth performance and yield of multiple sweet potato ( Ipomoea batatas L. Lam) varieties with diverse flesh colors, including orange, white, and purple. The primary objective was to investigate the interaction between fertilizer type and varietal response to identify optimal fertilization strategies for enhancing productivity and quality across genetically and nutritionally distinct cultivars. Sweet potato storage root yield is influenced by factors such as planting season, variety, soil conditions, and particularly soil fertility, the most critical determinant of production success. Although sweet potato cultivation has been extensively studied, the impact of fertilization practices on yield under Arkansas conditions remains insufficiently explored. The results showed that the variety “Travis” achieved the highest total and marketable yields (78,562 and 66,618 kg/ha, respectively), while “Evangeline” had the lowest (24,896 and 19,940 kg/ha). In contrast, total yields did not differ significantly between fertilized plots and the unfertilized control; fertilizer application notably improved marketable yield. No statistically significant differences were observed among the various fertilizer treatments. Among the fertilizer types tested, inorganic fertilizer was the most effective overall. Based on yield performance, the varieties “Porto Rico” and “O8‐21p” are recommended for cultivation in Arkansas. These findings provide valuable insights for enhancing sweet potato production and informing fertilizer management practices in the region.