[Technological profile of sweetpotato in the Central Peruvian Coast]

This paper provides an explanation of the change process taking place in the Canete Valley and of the internal and external factors that intervened there in the development of the sweetpotato crop. We attempt to summarize the technological changes observed; in an effort not only to define the farmers' agronomic management of the crop, but also to suggest recommendations that will help modify several crop management components. Early in the fifties, the sweetpotato crop began to acquire importance due to the low price of cotton, within a process of substituting imports of agricultural products, setting commerical trials with sweetpotato clones, and generating new sweetpotato varieties in the Agricultural Experimental Stations of the Canete Association of Farmers, or in fields of the Haciendas located in the valley. Three main factors -the Agrarian reform of 1972, cooperative land tenure, and subsequent land parceling among cooperative members (parceleros)- contributed to shape the present four types of sweetpotato producers (large owners, medium-size owners, small owners, and parceleros). Two of these types of owners have been credited with raising sweetpotato production three-fold and yields two-fold: a segment of the medium size owners -those of Japanese origin- who have been constantly experimenting, and most of the parceleros who devoted their best lands to the sweetpotato crops. Sweetpotato currently covers 16 of the 4,000 ha cultivated in the valley and has become the second most important crop in Canete. This is due to its low-cost production and high adaptability to soil conditions. Current varieties planted in Canete have been chosen by their horizontal performance (adaptation) to different zones. Planting a variety does not depend on the type of producer; therefore, producers need to know their sweetpotato varieties -old or new- and adapt to them. The technology to manage the crop is still generated by: 1) collection and maintenance of germplasm banks, 2) generation of a wide range of improved varieties, and 3) diverse attempts to mechanize agricultural practices and enhance crop technology with specific case recommendations for cultural practices. Agricultural research has featured several aspects of the crop: 1)seed, 2) planting, 3) plant density, 4) fertilization, and 5) dates of hilling. Other important aspects such as land preparation, irrigation, and physiological development of the crop have not been adequately investigated. Recommendations obtained from research cannot be generalized to the many production zones available in the central coast of Peru,because each has its own conditions and limitations. Therefore, there is a need to generate technology screenings that offer at least regional coverage. In addition, the releasing of new varieties should be accompanied by the information necessary to carry out proper crop management.