You can but I'm not sure what it would accomplish or benefit..

You won't get the same vining effect and the secondary production since the vines couldn't root themselves as they normally so roaming over the soil.

Dave

I plant my sweet potatoes with black plastic mulch. It suppresses weeds until the plants start to vine, and adds heat. If you're in a warmer area it might not be as important, but in cooler climates especially, black plastic should boost yields.

I've done it both ways...more work to put it down and take it up, but there are fewer weeds. It isn't necessary here for heat.

I don't get any real production from the vines where they have rooted. I planted them a little closer this year. maybe that will lessen the tendency to lunkers.

I tried it this year but I have a hard time figureing out the watering schedule. The plants without it look much better...