Purple sweet potato planting precautions and cultivation management key points

Purple sweet potato is a variety of the sweet potato family, also called black sweet potato. The nutritional value of purple sweet potato is much higher than that of red sweet potato, and it is also one of the main raw materials for anthocyanins, so the economic value of purple sweet potato is now much higher than that of red sweet potato. Purple sweet potatoes are mainly distributed in regions of our country with a relatively mild climate throughout the year, such as Guangdong, Guangxi, Guizhou, Fujian and other places. So when planting purple sweet potatoes, what precautions do we need to pay attention to? Let's take a look below.

1. Temperature

The temperature suitable for the growth of purple sweet potato stems and leaves is between 18 and 25°C, while the temperature suitable for tuber growth is between 22 and 24°C. If the temperature is below 15°C, the stems and leaves of purple sweet potato will not grow, and when the temperature is below 20°C, the tubers of purple sweet potato will also stop growing. So we need to pay attention to controlling the temperature for purple sweet potato planting and adjust the temperature appropriately.

2. Time

The time for sowing and raising seedlings of purple sweet potatoes is different from the time for cuttings planting. Generally, we sow and raise seedlings around the middle of February each year, and of course the surface temperature must reach about 15°C before seedlings can be raised. The seedling raising period is about three months, so the time for cuttings planting is usually around the middle of May each year. Of course, if the temperature in some areas is relatively high, the planting time can also be chosen between March and April each year.

3. Film covering

When planting purple sweet potatoes, covering with plastic film is also a relatively important step. In order to promote the rapid emergence of purple sweet potato seed potatoes, after planting the seed potatoes we should cover them with a layer of plastic film. Before covering with plastic film, we need to first cover the seeds with fine soil, then cover with a layer of decomposed barnyard manure, and finally lay the plastic film on top, pressing the edges firmly with soil.

4. Density

When just sowing and raising seedlings, a row spacing of 30 cm and a plant spacing of 5 to 6 cm is sufficient. When the seedlings grow to about 10 cm in the later stage, it is best to carry out one round of divided planting. When dividing plants, the row spacing is 70 cm and the plant spacing is 35 cm. When carrying out cuttings planting, we usually use a spacing of 60 to 80 cm between rows and 30 to 40 cm between plants. Normally, the planting density per mu is more than 3,000 plants, but it is best not to exceed 3,500 plants.

5. Seedling control

Seedling control is an important step in promoting the enlargement of purple sweet potato tubers. When the stems and leaves of purple sweet potatoes grow to about 40 to 50 cm, we should promptly lift and straighten the purple sweet potato seedlings in the field, then break off the root hairs, and appropriately prune some stems and leaves to promote the growth of side branches. At the same time, we should promptly pinch off the tops, and must not let the stems and leaves grow excessively, so as to avoid excessive nutrient loss and affect the yield and quality of purple sweet potatoes.

The above are some issues that need attention when planting purple sweet potatoes. I believe everyone has some understanding of this aspect, and these are also some factors that are often overlooked during the planting process. If everyone wants to learn more information about purple sweet potato planting, remember to follow us, or leave a message for the editor for consultation.