2nd Place: Evaluation of sweet potato IPM using organic methods

Insect pests pose a significant challenge for organic sweetpotato producers in Alabama. These pests reduce the yield, quality, and marketability of sweetpotato tubers. However, there is a lack of knowledge of effective organic integrated pest management practices for sweetpotatoes. To combat this, we tested the efficacy of different cover crops in the suppression of belowground insect pests and plant parasitic nematodes by planting sweetpotatoes into the footprints of various cover crops. Additionally, we applied entomopathogenic nematodes and the insect pathogen Beauvaria bassiana to half of each plot to determine their combined ability to suppress insect pests. Insect populations were measured using sweep nets, pitfall traps, and sweet potato weevil pheromone traps. Upon harvest, yield and marketability of sweetpotato tubers were determined.