Department of Horticultural Science

Horticulture Highlights - Summer 2003

Sweetpotato and white potato are the seventh and fourth most important crops in annual production worldwide. In North Carolina, they are the first and third most important vegetable crops based on annual revenue. North Carolina is the largest producer of sweetpotatoes in the U.S., with about 40% of the crop, and the second largest producer of spring potatoes. The two commodities account for over $90 million in annual farm receipts, making them a very important component of our diverse agriculture production system.

Development of new sweetpotato and potato cultivars is ranked as a high priority among NC growers. Dr. Craig Yencho, associate professor, is the leader of the sweetpotato and potato breeding and genetics program. Ken Pecota, researcher and co-breeder and Cindy Pierce, research technician / pathologist are assigned to the sweetpotato program on-campus, while Mark Clough, research technician and co-breeder is assigned to the potato project located at the Vernon G. James Research and Extension Center in Plymouth. The team conducts a wide array of field, greenhouse and laboratory experiments, collaborating with many NC State, national and international scientists, and participating in the training of graduate students from around the world. For more information on the sweetpotato and potato breeding and genetics program, visit our website at http://plymouth.ces.state.nc.us/hort/potato/.