The Importance of Sweet Potatoes in the Community

Oct 13, 2025 by talynt.org 113 views

# Growth and Yield of Sweet Potatoes (Ipomoea batatas (L) lam) in the Administration of Several Organic Materials

The Importance of Sweet Potatoes in the Community

Sweet potatoes are one of the main sources of carbohydrates for the community, ranked fourth after rice, corn, and cassava. In addition, sweet potatoes are rich in carotene content that is higher compared to other sources of carbohydrates. The selection of sweet potato varieties is generally based on the purpose of cultivation. Organic material is known to improve the physical, chemical, and biological properties of soil, which has a positive impact on plant growth and yield. This study aims to determine the effectiveness of giving organic matter to the growth and production of sweet potatoes.

Background of the Study

Sweet potatoes are a staple food in many parts of the world, particularly in tropical regions. They are rich in nutrients, including carbohydrates, fiber, and vitamins. The selection of sweet potato varieties is crucial in determining the yield and quality of the tubers. Organic material is known to improve soil fertility, structure, and water-holding capacity, which can lead to increased plant growth and yield. This study aims to investigate the effect of different organic materials on the growth and yield of sweet potatoes.

Methodology

This research was conducted in the practice of the Faculty of Agriculture, University of North Sumatra in Cengkeh Turi, Binjai, from December 2010 to February 2011. The method used was a factorial random design (RAK) with two factors. The first factor is a sweet potato variety, namely varieties A 82, MSU 03028-10, and power. The second factor is the type of organic material given, namely without the administration of organic matter (0 g/plant), oil palm pulp (250 g/plant), bioactive compost from cocoa skin (250 g/plant), and bioactive compost from jackfruit skin (250 g/plant).

Results

The results showed that sweet potato varieties had a significant effect on increasing plant height, tubers height, tubers circumference, and yield index. Provision of organic matter also has a significant effect on increasing plant height, tuber weight per plot, the average weight of tubers, total tubers, and yield index. The interaction between varieties and organic matter also has a significant effect on increasing plant height.

Discussion

The results of this study provide a clear picture of the effectiveness of the use of organic matter in increasing the growth and production of sweet potatoes. Different sweet potato varieties show different responses to the administration of organic matter. This shows that the selection of appropriate varieties and the use of appropriate organic matter can increase the production of sweet potatoes optimally.

Further Analysis

This research can be further developed by considering other factors that can affect the growth and yield of sweet potatoes, such as planting density, harvest time, and the application of inorganic fertilizer. It is also important to conduct further analysis of the nutritional content in tubers and the quality of the tubers produced in each treatment.

Conclusion

Provision of organic matter significantly increases the growth and production of sweet potatoes. Sweet potato varieties and types of organic matter given also affect the results obtained. This study provides important information for farmers in choosing the right varieties and using optimal organic material to increase sweet potato production.

Recommendations

Based on the results of this study, the following recommendations can be made:

Sweet potato farmers should consider using organic matter to improve soil fertility and structure.
The selection of sweet potato varieties should be based on the purpose of cultivation and the type of organic matter used.
Further research should be conducted to investigate the effect of other factors on the growth and yield of sweet potatoes.

Limitations of the Study

This study has several limitations, including:

The study was conducted in a single location, which may not be representative of other regions.
The study only investigated the effect of two factors, sweet potato varieties and organic matter, on the growth and yield of sweet potatoes.
The study did not investigate the effect of other factors, such as planting density and harvest time, on the growth and yield of sweet potatoes.

Future Research Directions

Future research should focus on investigating the effect of other factors on the growth and yield of sweet potatoes, such as:

Planting density
Harvest time
Application of inorganic fertilizer
Nutritional content in tubers
Quality of tubers produced in each treatment

Conclusion

In conclusion, this study provides important information for farmers in choosing the right varieties and using optimal organic material to increase sweet potato production. The results of this study also highlight the importance of considering other factors that can affect the growth and yield of sweet potatoes. Further research is needed to investigate the effect of other factors on the growth and yield of sweet potatoes.
# Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the Growth and Yield of Sweet Potatoes (Ipomoea batatas (L) lam) in the Administration of Several Organic Materials

Q: What are the main sources of carbohydrates for the community?

A: Sweet potatoes are one of the main sources of carbohydrates for the community, ranked fourth after rice, corn, and cassava.

Q: What is the importance of sweet potatoes in the community?

A: Sweet potatoes are rich in carotene content that is higher compared to other sources of carbohydrates, making them an important food source for the community.

Q: What is the purpose of this study?

A: This study aims to determine the effectiveness of giving organic matter to the growth and production of sweet potatoes.

Q: What is the method used in this study?

A: The method used was a factorial random design (RAK) with two factors: sweet potato varieties and the type of organic material given.

Q: What are the sweet potato varieties used in this study?

A: The sweet potato varieties used in this study are varieties A 82, MSU 03028-10, and power.

Q: What are the types of organic material given in this study?

A: The types of organic material given in this study are without the administration of organic matter (0 g/plant), oil palm pulp (250 g/plant), bioactive compost from cocoa skin (250 g/plant), and bioactive compost from jackfruit skin (250 g/plant).

Q: What are the results of this study?

A: The results showed that sweet potato varieties had a significant effect on increasing plant height, tubers height, tubers circumference, and yield index. Provision of organic matter also has a significant effect on increasing plant height, tuber weight per plot, the average weight of tubers, total tubers, and yield index. The interaction between varieties and organic matter also has a significant effect on increasing plant height.

Q: What are the implications of this study?

A: The results of this study provide a clear picture of the effectiveness of the use of organic matter in increasing the growth and production of sweet potatoes. Different sweet potato varieties show different responses to the administration of organic matter. This shows that the selection of appropriate varieties and the use of appropriate organic matter can increase the production of sweet potatoes optimally.

Q: What are the limitations of this study?

A: This study has several limitations, including the study was conducted in a single location, which may not be representative of other regions, the study only investigated the effect of two factors, sweet potato varieties and organic matter, on the growth and yield of sweet potatoes, and the study did not investigate the effect of other factors, such as planting density and harvest time, on the growth and yield of sweet potatoes.

Q: What are the future research directions?

A: Future research should focus on investigating the effect of other factors on the growth and yield of sweet potatoes, such as planting density, harvest time, application of inorganic fertilizer, nutritional content in tubers, and quality of tubers produced in each treatment.

Q: What are the recommendations of this study?

A: Based on the results of this study, the following recommendations can be made: sweet potato farmers should consider using organic matter to improve soil fertility and structure, the selection of sweet potato varieties should be based on the purpose of cultivation and the type of organic matter used, and further research should be conducted to investigate the effect of other factors on the growth and yield of sweet potatoes.

Q: What are the conclusions of this study?

A: Provision of organic matter significantly increases the growth and production of sweet potatoes. Sweet potato varieties and types of organic matter given also affect the results obtained. This study provides important information for farmers in choosing the right varieties and using optimal organic material to increase sweet potato production.