Abstract
Corms of eighteen (18) genotypes comprising twelve (12) introduced and six (6) local genotypes were studied for their nutrient quality to provide information on their nutrient characteristics for a holistic development of the crop. The crop is known for its edible corms and leaves. Corms are boiled before eating and take a short time to cook as their carbohydrate structure is not complex. The leaves are eaten as vegetables. The crops were planted at Nobewam in the Ejisu-Juaben Municipality in the Ashanti Region of Ghana using the Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD). The biochemical or nutritional analysis was done at Crop and Soil Sciences laboratory at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST). Data were collected on the chemical and mineral compositions of the genotypes (corms). Variations were observed in both chemical and mineral characteristics. Carbohydrate content of the genotypes ranged from 62% to 76%; protein ranged from 13% to 25%; fibre ranged from 1% to 2%; calcium ranged from 0.29% to 0.72% and iron content ranged from 0.18 mg/100 g to 1.18 mg/100 g. Significant differencesP<0.05were observed in both chemical and mineral traits, indicating a higher degree of variability in the genotypes. SignificantP<0.01and positive correlations were observed between protein and energy levels; magnesium and iron; magnesium and calcium; and potassium and ash. The Principal Component Analysis (PCA) showed that the first component (PC1) accounted for 96% of variation. Some genotypes including; BL/SM/10, BL/SM/132, KA/019, SAO/020, BL/SM/151, BL/SM/80, BL/SM/116, BL/SM/16, and KA/035 possess desirable nutrient levels such as protein, fibre, carbohydrate, and iron which could be exploited for further development of taro in Ghana.
Highlights
E analysis of variance for the chemical composition showed signi cant di erences ( < 0.05)among the genotypes that were studied. e protein content of the genotypes ranged from 13.1% to 25.7% with genotype BL/SM/132 recording the highest protein content (25.7%) and genotype BL/SM/32 had the least (3.1%). e moisture content ranged from 5.7% to 6.3%
Genotype KA/035 had the highest amount of crude bre of 2.12% and the least amount of percentage crude bre was recorded in genotype BL/SM/132 (1.02%). e carbohydrate content ranged from 62.43% to 76.08%
Analysis of Variance. e analysis of variance showed signi cant di erences among the genotypes that were studied. e crude protein content among the genotypes was moderately high (13.06–25.70%). ese values were higher than protein content reported by [17, 18]
Summary
Taro is important for food security since many tropical areas o en experience unfavourable environmental conditions. It is the fourth most consumed tuber crop worldwide [6]. Taro is cultivated mainly in developing countries using low input production systems It is generally considered as an easy crop to grow provided there is adequate rainfall [7]. In Ghana, the taro germplasm is found in farmers’ elds and forest areas This germplasm is being lost because the crop is being replaced by cereals as well as drought and human interference such as deforestation.
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