Challenge

The Australian sweetpotato industry heavily relies on a small number of varieties susceptible to pests like the Guava root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne enterlobii), impacting productivity and sustainability.

Response

The project aims to diversify and strengthen the industry's genetic resources by evaluating new sweetpotato varieties for pest resistance and consumer attributes, strengthening the industry's genetic resources.

The project will assess new public and private sweetpotato varieties for their agronomic performance and disease resistance. This will be done by: 

• Developing a comprehensive data package containing detailed pest and disease resistance evaluations and agronomic performance data for Australian sweetpotato growers on new varieties assessed for the industry.
• Engaging with an industry focused project reference group to guide variety assessments.
• Regularly updating the Australian sweetpotato industry on the project's findings.

Benefit

This initiative will ultimately provide Australian sweetpotato growers with access to resilient varieties, reducing reliance on fumigants and enhancing crop resilience against pests.

Growers will also gain access to a comprehensive data package on new varieties suitable for Australian production, promoting industry growth and sustainability.