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(08/14/24) CHASE, La. — The LSU AgCenter Sweet Potato Research Station is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year. The station’s upcoming annual field day will mark this milestone as well as share the latest news in sweet potato variety development, pest management and other aspects of research.
The event will take place Aug. 29. Registration will begin at 8:30 a.m., with field tours to follow at 9. A sponsored lunch will be served at the conclusion of the program.
Topics to be covered include:
— Advanced lines in the sweet potato breeding program.
— Performance of varieties exposed to prolonged early-season saturated soils.
— Nematode management.
— Weed management.
— Clean seed update and reducing virus infection with crop borders.
— Industry and crop updates.
— Spray drone demonstration.
The Sweet Potato Research Station is located at 130 Sweet Potato Road, just off U.S. Highway 425, in Chase.
Founded in 1949, the station is the only facility of its kind in the country. Its longstanding mission is to support the Louisiana sweet potato industry — valued in 2023 at $82.8 million — through the development of high-yielding varieties, research on crop management strategies and educational programs.
For more information, contact research coordinator Tara Smith at TSmith@agcenter.lsu.edu or 318-557-9501 or sweet potato specialist Cole Gregorie at CGregorie@agcenter.lsu.edu or 318-680-9833.
The LSU AgCenter and the LSU College of Agriculture
