Determine the response to selection for yield and quality in three applied breeding populations for a complete reciprocal recurrent selection cycle for (i) OFSP wide adaptation and earliness, (ii) OFSP for high iron, and (iii) OFSP for low sweetness after cooking. Apply the concept of elite crossings in sweetpotato for the first time. These are recombinations of a small number of “super” parents, based on results of largescale trials, to fully exploit the within family variance of these crosses. Estimate the superiority of hybrid population means in hybrid population H0 (hybrid population established from two parental gene pools) in one applied breeding population with emphasize on yield and SPVD resistance, as well demonstrate the genetic gains to be achieved in yield and SPVD resistance by established elite crossings. Demonstrate for the first time in sweetpotato that hybrid breeding results in breeding populations which show pronounced heterotic increments under regular water supply and drought stress conditions. If so, the case can be made that a hybrid breeding approach leads to higher yield stability in sweetpotato bred for drought prone areas.