By Clint Thompson
University of Georgia is engaging in research that could lead to the production of a new crop for Georgia’s specialty crop producers.
Tim Coolong, associate professor in the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, describes the early process of researching water spinach, a crop that is produced throughout Southeast Asia.
“We are looking at growing it in high tunnels in the soil and hydroponically in greenhouses to come up with some production practices for growers in Georgia if they would like to grow it. It’s a completely new crop for us. We don’t really have any guidelines,” Coolong said.
“It’s related to morning glory or sweet potato. It doesn’t form a big root like a sweet potato, but it vines out, and it’s grown to be used as a green to be used in stir fries and other dishes throughout Southeast Asia. With the increased ethnic communities in Atlanta, there has been an increase in desire to grow this crop in Georgia.”
It is currently not grown in Georgia, though it is produced in Texas. It is available at some markets in Atlanta with a desire to have more available, Coolong said. But producers will need to know basic crop requirements if it is to become a successful specialty crop in Georgia. Coolong and his graduate student are researching planting date, expected yields, nutrient removal rates – all basic guidelines to know if a farmer wished to produce the crop in Georgia.
Coolong said the finished product has a mild flavor that is not too strong.