sweet potato research

Oct 29, 2021

Protecting Our State’s New Rural Cash Crop

The true profit potential of sweetpotatoes has been held back by an aggressive and invasive pest. NC State’s Craig Yencho will lead a $5 million grant-funded project to fight it. 

Jul 21, 2021

An Uncommon Thread

Shelly Hunt recently enrolled in the Ag Data Sciences Certificate program. So far, it's proving to be the perfect complement to her studies, her field research, and her career goals. 

Oct 27, 2020

Sweet Success With Sweetpotatoes

Sweetpotatoes are North Carolina's state vegetable, and they're not just for Thanksgiving anymore. Find out how North Carolina growers have positioned our state as the leader when it comes to production of this increasingly in-demand crop. 

Sep 23, 2020

NC State Team Finds Solution for Sweetpotato Problem

An NC State team led by Jonathan Schultheis has determined a new curing process that greatly reduces internal necrosis in Covington sweetpotatoes. This will save N.C. sweetpotato producers millions of dollars in crop loss. 

May 4, 2020

NC State Researchers Continue Improving Sweetpotatoes for Africa

Craig Yencho and his team recently received part of a grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to continue their work improving sweetpotatoes in Sub-Saharan Africa. The genomic tools developed through the three-year, $15-million-dollar grant will also improve sweetpotato breeding for North Carolina farmers. 

Aug 14, 2017

NC State and Oracle Pilot ‘Big Data’ Project to Grow Agriculture

Oracle has selected NC State as a university partner to pilot a new program that uses big data to solve grand challenges in everything from agriculture to textiles to engineering. First on the list? Sweet potatoes. 

Feb 20, 2017

Project Aims to Eliminate ‘Ugly’ Sweet Potatoes

Dr. Mike Boyette and grad student Amber Tsirnikas are on a mission to help farmers grow better (more attractive) sweet potatoes. Their efforts could boost the industry in a big way.