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Oriaku, L.
Department of Agricultural and Bio-Resources Engineering, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike, P.M.B.7267, Nigeria;National Root Crop Research Institute Umudike, Abia State Nigeria
Ndukwu, M. C.
Department of Agricultural and Bio-Resources Engineering, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike, P.M.B.7267, Nigeria
ABSTRACT
An
underground composite storage structure with plant material ash incorporated
into the walls as a botanical treatment to make a composite wall was designed
and tested with cocoyam cormels of the colocasia esculente species. When the
temperature of each pit is compared with the ambient value the pit with palm
nut shell ash maintained the lowest temperature difference of 0.87oC while the
highest was the pit with no treatment which had a temperature difference of 1.03oC.
The ash of various plant materials had a considerable impact on the average
weekly temperature. The walls made of
iroko and palm kernel ash had the lowest percentage weight loss of 28% after 13
weeks of storage in cocoyam initial weight which is lower by 2.5 to 6.47%
obtained with other indigenous cocoyam storage methods. This trend suggests
that Iroko tree back and palm kernel shells are rated best among plant
materials for cocoyam storage, with a high degree of weight retention and
weight loss reduction of cocoyam. The pit integrated with the Iroko tree bark
had the largest percentage drop in moisture content compared to other
treatments, with a loss of 8.8%. After storage, sprouting occurred in all three
replications. This demonstrates that the cormels preserved in the subterranean
storage technique for storing cocoyam for planting during the farming season
are viable. As a result, farmers are advised to employ this form of storage.
Keywords: underground storage; cocoyam; agricultural products; botanical treatments
https://doi.org/10.33922/j.ujet_v9i2_10
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View: 67 | Download: 10
Published
Monday, November 06, 2023
Issue
Vol.9 No.2, December 2023
Article Section
GENERAL
The contents of the articles are the sole opinion of the author(s) and not of UJET.
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