Effect of Storage Methods on Carbohydrate and Moisture of Cassava Planting Materials

Baraka B Mdenye,James W Muthomi,Florence M Olubayo,Josiah M Kinama,Benjamin M Kivuva

doi:10.5539/jas.v8n12p100

Abstract

Storage of cassava (Manihot esculenta Cruntz.) planting materials has been a challenge because of its properties of moisture and carbohydrates loss under storage. Two varieties of cassava cuttings 1 m long, stored for four months under four different storage methods in two locations Kabete and Kiboko. The storage methods were clamp under double shade (CUDS), horizontal under shade (HUS), vertical under shade (VUS) and the control horizontal under open ground (HOUG). In each storage method data loggers were installed to record temperature and RH. Percentage carbohydrate, moisture content (MC), 100% dry cuttings (DC) and cuttings dried to 25% or more of its stored length but not 100% were measured at intervals of 4 weeks. Data were subjected ANOVA and means separated using LSD. CUDS performed better than other storage methods in all parameters measured. The results showed cuttings stored under CUDS lost less moisture than those stored in HUOG. The moisture loss in CUDS was from 70.16%-56.69% while that of HUOG dropped from 70.16% to 27.26% within 8 weeks after storage. High rate of carbohydrate loss was observed in Kiboko than Kabete. Mean temperatures were 25 °C Kiboko and 22 °C Kabete. The results showed that temperature had effect on loss of carbohydrate. The results have proven that safe storage of cassava planting material is affected by plant related factors as well as environmental conditions.

Highlights

Cassava contribute to food security and livelihood to majority of small scale farmers in semiarid areas
Minimum was recoded in clamp under double shade (CUDS) and highest was under HUOG in both locations
The results shown that CUDS had high average of relative humidity of 72.05% and 60% in Kabete and Kiboko respectively while lowest mean relative humidity were recorded in HUOG 61.89% and 40.91% Kabete and Kiboko respectively

Summary

Introduction

Cassava contribute to food security and livelihood to majority of small scale farmers in semiarid areas. It is a source of raw materials to more than 1000 microprocessors and traders around the world (Balagopalan, 2002). The ability of cassava to grow in marginal land as well as flexibility in harvest of tuber when needed make it the best crop of choice for most poor farmers. Worldwide cassava production increased from 163 MT in 1980 to 270 MT in 2013.A lot of effort has been put to increase cassava production to cater food, energy and animal feeds requirements in Africa but planting material has been a challenge to most farmers. Most farmers use planting materials from previous crop which, normally have diseases infection as well as low nutrients (Ogero et al, 2012)

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Conclusion