EFFECT OF MINIMUM TILLAGE CULTIVATION ON SWEET POTATO PRODUCTION WITH HERBICIDE APPLICATION AND PLASTIC FILM GROUND SHELTER

The author was able to raise soil temperature, preserve soil water, maintain soil structure, control weeds effectively, keep plant growing thrivingly and save labour when growing sweet potato in autumn with a minimum tillage cultivation technique in which the ground was covered with plastic films after the soil had been treated with weedkiller before planting. As a result,the yield of tuber and the total weight of sweet potao plant increased significantly and a good economic benefit was achieved.In another trial,control of weeds,saving of labour and increase in labour efficiency could be achieved by only applying herbicides. However,no significant yield difference between manual weeding and herbicide application was shown.