Choose a Variety
Many varieties of sweet potatoes are grown in North Carolina. Although some are grown for special uses only, the majority are the orange-fleshed, moist, sweet varieties that are widely accepted in the fresh market and for processing.
The variety picture changes rapidlyand new varieties with superior qualities are released almost annually. Each variety has certain advantages and disadvantages.
Because sweet potatoes are vegetatively propagated and because uniformity in appearance of roots is essential, it is important to choose a variety that will suit your soil type, market requirements and weather conditions. It is advisable to plant at least two varieties each year because no single variety performs best on all soil types and under all climatic conditions. Below is a comparative table to help you with your choice.
| Variety (Origin Date) | Foliage | Skin | Flesh | Yield | Disease &Insect Resistance | Flood Damage | Other Weaknesses | Other Strengths |
| Beauregard (LA, 1987) | Green heartshaped leaves, blooms prolific | Rose | Orange | Very good | White grub, soil pox | Resistance, roots may be misshapen | Susceptible to root-knot, nematodes; bacterial soft rot; slow sprouting | Stores well, high % No. 1 roots |
| Hernandez (LA, 1992) | Green arrow-shaped leaves, purple stems, faciation | Burnt Orange | Deep Orange | Good | Root-knot, Soil Pox, Fusarium Wilt | Wet soil may result in raised lenticels or black pimples on skin | Late, sporadic sprouting, black flecks on skin. Slow sprouting, poor taste. Susceptible to blister; boron application may be necessary. | Very uniform shape |
| Jewel (NC, 1970) | Green stems, bushy | Copper | Deep Orange | Very good | Root-knot, Internal Cork | Susceptible | Mutations, Soil Pox, Cracking with variable soil moisture | Storage life, shapes high % No. 1 roots |
| Carolina Ruby (NC 1988) | Green heart shaped leaves with purple veins | Dark Red to Purple Red | Dark Orange | Very good | Fusarium Wilt, moderate soil rot, moderate to flea beetle | Wet soil may result in cracking and blisters on skin | Susceptible to root-knot nematodes, white grub & wireworm | Stores OK Excellent baking quality |
| Porto Rico 198 (NC 1966) | Deep Purple Stems and Veins | Rose-pink | Orange Mottled | Average | None | Moderate resistance | Susceptible to major diseases/cracking | Baking quality |
| Cordner (TX 1983) | Green stems | Copper | Medium Orange | Very good | Root-knot | Susceptible | Susceptible to pox | Earliness, good plant production |
| White Delight (GA) | Green heartshaped leaves | Purplish pink | White | Very good | Fusarium wilt Root-knot | Susceptible | Damp soil can cause high % rot | tastes good stores well |
| Covington NC98-608 | Rose Smooth | Orange | Very good | Russet crack, Southern Root Knot, Nematode |