The objective of this work was to evaluate sweet potato cultivars with starch processing capability, on two cultivation periods, in the western region of Paraná (Brazil). Sweet potato was grown at Marechal Cândido Rondon, Paraná State (24º33'40"S and 54º04'12"W), at a mean annual temperature between 14 and 28ºC. The experiment was designed in complete randomized blocks, in a factorial scheme of 4 cultivars (CNPH 003, CNPH 004, Brazlândia Roxa, and Brazlândia Rosada) and 2 cultivation periods (115 and 183 days), with four repetitions. The evaluated parameters were the root productivities (t ha-1) and the physical and chemical root composition (humidity, pH, acidity, starch, total soluble sugars and fibers). Data was submitted to an analysis of variance (Anova) and the means were compared by the Tukey test at 5% of probability. Results indicated that sweet potato yield at the cultivars was higher during the 183 day cultivation period (average of 9.14 t ha-1) than during the 115 day cultivation period (average of 4.25 t ha-1). Thus the CNPH 003 cultivar seems to be a better indication for starch extraction, due to the lowest fiber content in the root, the driest mass content and the largest yield of starch per area.
Ipomoea batatas; starch content; soluble sugars; fibers