[Objective] This study aimed to investigate the appropriate dose of 60^Co-γ irradiation for tubers of purple sweet potato.[Methods] The tubers of two purple sweet potato varieties Xuzi L-7 and Yuenanzi were used as experimental materials,and treated with 60^Co-γ irradiation at different doses(0,25,50,75,100,125 and 150 Gy) to determine the emergence rate,number of emerged seedlings per tuber and fresh weight per seedling.[Results] After the 60^Co-γ irradiation at different doses,the emergence period of tubers was postponed while the emergence rate,number of emerged seedlings per tuber and fresh weight per plant were decreased,and the differences between different varieties and different irradiation doses reached significance level.Compared with the control,the emergence period of tubers at irradiation doses above 25 Gy were postponed by 2,3,5,6 and 12 d,respectively.[Conclusion] The half lethal dose(LD50) of Xuzi L-7 was 66.73 Gy,and that of Yuenanzi was 74.96 Gy.