Abstract
Field experiments were conducted between November 2011 and May 2014 at the Crop Science Teaching and Research Farm of the University of Calabar, (Southeastern rainforest agro-ecological zone of Nigeria) to determine the effectiveness of Iodine agronomic fortification of cassava. The field experiment was a 2x3x4 factorial experiment arranged in randomized complete block design replicated three times, conducted using two cassava varieties,( TME 419 and TMS 30555); four iodine rates( 0, 2.5, 5.0 and 10.0) kg/ha KI; applied at 8, 10 and 12 WAP. Physiological data were obtained by determination of Iodine content [in cassava tuber]; tuber cyanide content (HCN); Carbohydrate content of tuber; starch content of tuber and tuber protein contents. Iodine absorption and retention in cassava tuber flesh was significantly positively correlated with Iodine doses at the times of application (p0.05 and 0.01). TME 419 retained more Iodine in tissues than TMS 30555 and recorded highest correlation co-efficient at 10WAP. Iodine doses and time of application did not significantly control (P≥0.05) contents of cyanide, carbohydrate and starch in cassava tubers. Protein content was significantly varied in cassava varieties and rate and time of Iodine application influenced tuber protein content. TME 419 produced more tuber protein, Iodine doses of 2.5kg/ha KI and 0kg/ha KI had higher protein content than 5kg and 10kg/ha KI. Application at 8WAP and 10WAP were not significantly different. For favourable physiological cassava characteristics, 2.5kg/ha KI is recommended applied 10 weeks after planting (WAP).
Highlights
Bio fortification can be defined as raising the amounts of minerals and vitamins in crop plants that greatly enhance consumer health either by genetic or agronomic means of fertilization (White and Broadley 2009, Yang et al 2007, Zhao and McGrath 2009)
The starch yield analysis was carried out using the formula: The proximate analysis was conducted to determine Protein and Carbohydrate content by AOAC (2000), [carbohydrate content was determined by difference: 100- (% Moisture + % Ash + % Protein + % Fat + Crude Fiber)]
From the cassava variety handbook of Dixon et al (2010), the starch content of cassava tuber in this study were either higher or about the same value with those reported for the improved varieties
Summary
Bio fortification can be defined as raising the amounts of minerals and vitamins in crop plants that greatly enhance consumer health either by genetic or agronomic means of fertilization (White and Broadley 2009, Yang et al 2007, Zhao and McGrath 2009). Salt which is the major source of sodium in human diet has long been shown to raise blood pressure (Jacobson 2009) and its continuous and excess intake has been linked to increased incidence of cardiovascular disease (Smolen and Sady 2011a). This has led World Health Organization to recommend drastic reduction in human sodium intake (WHO 2007). (iii) Effect of iodine inclusion on cyanide content in cassava, and (iv)Influence of rate and time of iodine fertilization on protein content in cassava
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