Brazil: SP Agriculture Secretariat develops a high-yielding orange-fleshed sweet potato variety

The Agronomic Institute (IAC), of the São Paulo State Department of Agriculture and Supply, has the only program for the genetic improvement of biofortified sweet potatoes. This tuberous root is a source of carbohydrates, minerals, vitamins, fibers and proteins. It is not by chance that it is the darling of healthy diets. IAC is working on the development of a new orange-fleshed sweet potato cultivar, a color that indicates a high concentration of beta-carotene, and also more productive. The project is in the last stages of selection. According to Valdemir Antonio Peressin, a researcher at the IAC responsible for the research, the darker the orange color of the pulp, the higher the concentration of vitamin A. The orange-fleshed sweet potato is one of the species with the greatest potential for food biofortification. . The orange-fleshed sweet potato is attractive because of its nutritional attributes, making it also more interesting for gastronomy. This profile completes its ...