Sweet Potato, A Research Neglected Important Food Crop, Regarding Virus Research and Propagation Systems: A Review

Although sweet potatoes are ranked seventh in global food production the research input is less than one third when compared with research input in potatoes in general. Thus, research in overcoming virus diseases was so far not able to overcome the Sweetpotato virus diseases causing severe reduction in yields in African countries. This review aimed at creating more awareness of carrying out researches in Sweetpotato virus and propagation systems mainly in African countries. The main virus diseases are described as well as selection and breeding efforts, both by conventional and genetic engineering approaches. Operations of pilot plants supplying farmers with virus tested planting material were suggested.