Problems to be noticed in sweet potato harvest
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Sweet potatoes are propagated vegetatively, and unlike many crops, they don’t have a clear maturity indicator or fixed harvest time. However, the timing of the harvest plays a crucial role in yield, storage, processing, and crop rotation. Harvesting too early can significantly reduce the yield, while harvesting too late may result in cold damage due to low temperatures, making the tubers less tolerant to storage and reducing their quality.
Therefore, it’s essential to harvest sweet potatoes at the right time. The decision should be based on weather conditions, the need for storage, and the schedule of the following crops. When the soil temperature reaches around 18°C, sweet potato growth slows down. At 15°C, growth stops completely. If the temperature remains below 9°C for an extended period, the tubers can suffer from cold injury. As a result, it's common practice to start harvesting when the soil temperature is around 18°C and before the ground dries out completely.
For spring sweet potatoes used for vine cutting or in rotation with winter wheat, it’s usually best to harvest before the Cold Dew season. Summer sweet potatoes left for planting are typically harvested before the first frost. Sweet potatoes intended for consumption are often harvested later but must still be brought in before the frost hits.
Soil conditions also play a key role in the harvest. Dry soil can cause rapid temperature fluctuations, increasing the risk of cold damage and making it harder to peel the tubers. On the other hand, overly wet soil makes it difficult to dig up the roots and increases the risk of waterlogging after harvest. In such cases, the vines should be cut and allowed to dry for a few days before digging.
Summer sweet potatoes meant for planting should be harvested in the morning when the sun is out, dried in the field, and stored in the pit by the afternoon of the same day. Leaving them in the ground overnight can expose them to cold damage.
After harvesting, sweet potatoes should be sorted in the field, removing any damaged, diseased, or waterlogged pieces. They should then be stored according to their intended use and variety. From harvest to storage, the number of times they’re moved should be minimized, and care should be taken during transport to avoid bruising or damaging the tubers. Handling them gently ensures better quality and longer storage life.