Kyushu Okinawa Agricultural Research Center, NARO

Since the outbreak of sweet potato foot rot disease was confirmed in 2018, it has caused enormous damage mainly in southern Kyushu. In order to recover from such damage, along with stabilizing the production of upland crops and vegetables, and to expand the export of sweet potatoes, it is important to develop production management technology to control the damage from foot rot, and to establish a crop rotation system to maintain sweet potato production areas continuously.In addition, production corporations and distributors are expecting the construction of effective countermeasure technologies such as Curing as a countermeasure against decomposition during transportation of sweet potatoes. Hence the Field Crop and Vegetable Cultivation Group is engaged in,

• Development of epidemic prevention technology such as diagnostic methods for foot rot,
• Development of production control technology to suppress root rot such as pre-planting flood treatment,
• Development of a rotation system for kansho and open-field vegetables (onions, cabbage, etc.)
• Development of decompostion control technology such as effective curing method for sweet potatoes etc.,

By combining these development technologies, we will contribute to minimizing the economic loss caused by root rot and expanding exports.