Sweet potato is an important tuber crop cultivated for its nutritious roots and fodder value in India. It is highly valued for its rich content of carbohydrates, beta-carotene (vitamin A), dietary fiber, vitamins (B6, C), minerals (iron, potassium, and magnesium), and antioxidants. Sweet potato is an energy-dense crop and a staple food in many regions, making it ideal for addressing food security and malnutrition issues.
Sweet potato thrives well in warm, tropical, and subtropical climates, requiring minimal inputs, making it highly suitable for resource-poor farmers. The leading sweet potato-producing states in India include Odisha, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Bihar, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Karnataka, and Madhya Pradesh.
To meet the rising demand, Indian agricultural research institutes have developed several high-yielding, disease-resistant, and nutrient-rich sweet potato varieties. This article highlights more than 10 top sweet potato varieties in India, their characteristics, and uses.
1. Sree Bhadra
Sree Bhadra is a high-yielding sweet potato variety developed by the Central Tuber Crops Research Institute (CTCRI), Kerala.
- Skin Color: Purple-red
- Flesh Color: Cream
- Maturity: 90–110 days
- Regions: Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka
- Characteristics:
- High resistance to sweet potato weevil and viral diseases.
- Suitable for tropical climates.
- Yield: 25–30 tonnes/hectare
- Uses: Cooking, boiling, and traditional snacks.
2. Sree Nandini
Sree Nandini is a variety recognized for its early maturity and excellent yield.
- Skin Color: Creamy white
- Flesh Color: Orange
- Maturity: 80–90 days
- Regions: Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Odisha
- Characteristics:
- High beta-carotene content for vitamin A enrichment.
- Suitable for rainfed and irrigated cultivation.
- Yield: 22–25 tonnes/hectare
- Uses: Nutrient-rich food, baby food, and processing.
3. Sree Arun
Sree Arun is a high-yielding and popular variety grown extensively in southern India.
- Skin Color: Reddish-purple
- Flesh Color: Cream
- Maturity: 90–100 days
- Regions: Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka
- Characteristics:
- Tolerant to drought and pest infestations.
- High dry matter content suitable for processing.
- Yield: 25–28 tonnes/hectare
- Uses: Boiling, frying, and chips.
4. Konkan Ashwini
Konkan Ashwini is a disease-tolerant variety developed for coastal and tropical climates.
- Skin Color: Light red
- Flesh Color: Creamy yellow
- Maturity: 90–110 days
- Regions: Maharashtra, Karnataka, Kerala
- Characteristics:
- Resistant to viral diseases and root rot.
- Ideal for coastal saline soils.
- Yield: 22–26 tonnes/hectare
- Uses: Boiling, baking, and animal feed.
5. Co-3
Co-3 is a high-yielding variety developed by the Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU).
- Skin Color: Purple
- Flesh Color: Light yellow
- Maturity: 90–100 days
- Regions: Tamil Nadu, Karnataka
- Characteristics:
- Early maturing with good tuber size.
- High dry matter content for industrial uses.
- Yield: 20–24 tonnes/hectare
- Uses: Boiled consumption and industrial starch extraction.
6. Sree Varun
Sree Varun is a popular multi-purpose sweet potato variety suitable for fresh consumption and processing.
- Skin Color: Light purple
- Flesh Color: Yellow
- Maturity: 90–100 days
- Regions: Odisha, West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh
- Characteristics:
- High resistance to weevils and fungal diseases.
- High starch content for value-added products.
- Yield: 24–28 tonnes/hectare
- Uses: Processing into starch, flour, and chips.
7. Rajendra Sakarkand-5
Rajendra Sakarkand-5 is a variety known for its high yield and adaptability in North India.
- Skin Color: Red
- Flesh Color: Cream
- Maturity: 90–110 days
- Regions: Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh
- Characteristics:
- Tolerant to drought and moderately resistant to diseases.
- High dry matter content suitable for diverse uses.
- Yield: 20–25 tonnes/hectare
- Uses: Boiling, roasting, and snacks.
8. Gauri
Gauri is a popular variety in the eastern regions of India, particularly for its high yield potential.
- Skin Color: Cream
- Flesh Color: Orange
- Maturity: 100–110 days
- Regions: Odisha, West Bengal, Bihar
- Characteristics:
- High beta-carotene content to combat vitamin A deficiency.
- Resistant to common pests and diseases.
- Yield: 22–27 tonnes/hectare
- Uses: Fresh consumption, processing, and baby food.
9. Kala Dhan
Kala Dhan is known for its unique dark skin color and nutrient content.
- Skin Color: Dark purple/black
- Flesh Color: White
- Maturity: 100–110 days
- Regions: North and central India
- Characteristics:
- High resistance to diseases and root rot.
- Performs well in dry and rainfed regions.
- Yield: 18–22 tonnes/hectare
- Uses: Boiling, snacks, and animal feed.
10. Sree Kanaka
Sree Kanaka is a variety developed for its early maturity and attractive tubers.
- Skin Color: Orange-red
- Flesh Color: Deep orange
- Maturity: 90–100 days
- Regions: Southern and eastern India
- Characteristics:
- High beta-carotene content for improved nutrition.
- Resistant to pests like sweet potato weevil.
- Yield: 20–23 tonnes/hectare
- Uses: Processing into flour, chips, and baked goods.
FAQs
Q1: Which sweet potato variety has the highest beta-carotene content?
A: Sree Nandini and Sree Kanaka have high beta-carotene content, making them ideal for addressing vitamin A deficiency.
Q2: Which variety of sweet potato is suitable for coastal regions?
A: Konkan Ashwini is highly suitable for coastal and saline soils.
Q3: How long does sweet potato take to mature?
A: Most sweet potato varieties mature within 90–110 days depending on the variety and growing conditions.
Q4: Which states in India are major producers of sweet potato?
A: Odisha, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Madhya Pradesh are major sweet potato-producing states.
Q5: Which sweet potato variety is ideal for industrial processing?
A: Co-3 and Sree Varun are suitable for industrial uses like starch and flour production.
Sweet potato cultivation in India is gaining momentum due to its high nutritional value, adaptability to various climatic conditions, and economic benefits. Improved varieties like Sree Bhadra, Sree Nandini, Sree Arun, and Konkan Ashwini offer high yields, disease resistance, and suitability for fresh consumption and processing. By adopting these varieties, Indian farmers can enhance productivity and contribute to food security and nutrition across the country.
