strategic Research Plans for Sweetpotato to Achieve Food Security in Japan: Perspective of Next Decade

摘要

The Kyushu-Okinawa district accounts for nearly 50% of the sweetpotato production in Japan. However, the sweetpotato can be grown nearly anywhere in agricultural production areas with sufficient warm temperature. The swee^otato is grown on a wide range of soil types with texture ranging from sandy loams to heavy clays, and can provide considerable yields in marginally fertile soils. These are the major reasons why sweetpotatoes were able to support Japan's large population in the postwar years. Suchhigh adaptability of sweetpotato to diverse environments could benefit us as a food source when suppUes of food deteriorate. Therefore, the sweetpotato should be researched as a strategic crop for national food security. From this stand point, we shoulddevelop a national research vision of the sweetpotato. The root yield potential should be improved further, particularly in unfavorable environments including both abiotic and biotic stresses. Leaf and root vegetables of the sweetpotato have been developed, but to be not yet protein-rich sweetpotatoes. The sweetpotato can be used for feeding livestock but has not been manipulated sufficiently for a biomass energy source.