Recently biologists have been growing sweet potato in vitro, which enables them to protect the plant from disease Like human beings, aging can affect seeds.
目前最進步的方法是「組織培養法」，將甘薯芽的生長點種在試管裡，即可避免受病菌感染，且溫度可控制，品種可確保。種子像人一樣，也會老化；種子雖然經過悉心保養，大約十年後就到了「美人遲暮」之時。