Sweet potato

**Botanical Information**:
– Sweet potato is a dicot plant in the Convolvulaceae family.
– Its tuberous roots are starchy and sweet.
– Young shoots and leaves are edible.
– Cultivars have tubers of various colors.
– Not closely related to common potatoes or true yams.

**Historical and Taxonomical Background**:
– Originated in South America with domestication in Central or South America.
– Oldest remains found in Peru date back to 8080 BC.
– Spread to Caribbean and South America by 2500 BCE.
– Closest wild relative is I. trifida.
– First known naturally transgenic food crop illustrating natural genetic modifications.

**Cultivation and Dispersal**:
– Grown in Polynesia before European arrival.
– Spread from central Polynesia with genetic similarities between Polynesians and indigenous Americans.
– Introduced to Europe via the Columbian exchange.
– Introduced to various regions like the Philippines, China, and the Ryukyu Kingdom.
– Cultivated in tropical and warm temperate regions worldwide.

**Production and Habitat**:
– Global sweet potato production in 2020 was 89 million tonnes.
– China leads with 55% of the world total.
– Requires specific conditions like 24°C temperature and annual rainfalls of 750–1,000mm.
– Grows well in various farming conditions with few natural enemies.
– Cultivated in tropical and warm temperate regions worldwide.

**Nutritional Content and Uses**:
– Rich in carbohydrates, fiber, vitamins, and minerals.
– Different cooking methods can affect nutritional content.
– Consumed worldwide in various forms like fries, chips, and stews.
– Versatile in both savory and sweet dishes.
– Provides essential nutrients like beta-Carotene, vitamins B6, C, E, and minerals like calcium, magnesium, and potassium.