Control of Sprouting of Yam (Dioscorea rotundata) and Sweet Potato (Ipomoea batatas) using African Cardamon (Aframomum danielli), Turmeric (Curcuma longa) and Clove (Syzygium aromaticum)

Abstract

This study investigated the effects of the aqueous extracts of Aframomum danielli, Turmeric and Clove in sprouting of yam (Dioscorea rotundata) and sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas). The sliced tubers were dipped into the aqueous extracts of A. danielli, turmeric and Clove, each at concentrations of 5%, 10% and 15%. The tubers were allowed to stand in the solution for 5 and 10 minutes. Distilled water was used in the control samples. The yam slices were air dried after removal from the liquids, placed in paper boxes and incubated at room temperature (28.9 ± 4.0°C) and Relative Humidity of 44.6 ± 18.4 % for a period of six weeks (Bibah, 2014). Weight loss was determined by finding the difference between the initial and final weights and expressed as percentage weight loss. The results indicated that Turmeric treatments at different concentrations of 5%, 10% and 15% were more effective in reducing sprouting index at 5 minutes treatment time with values of 1.79%; 3.00% and 3.02% respectively. Clove treatment at 15%, 10% and 15% A. danielli treatment were more effective in controlling sprouting at 10 minutes treatment time for the yam tubers. There was no clear distinction in the effectiveness of each of aqueous extract of A. danielli, Turmeric and Clove in controlling sprouting at 5 and 10 minutes treatment time for sweet potato tubers.