Effect of Different Storage Methods on Development of Post-Harvest Rot of Solanum tuberosum L. in Yola, Adamawa State Nigeria

Abstract

Investigation into the effects of different storage methods on the development of post-harvest rot of Irish potato  [Solanum tuberosum (L.)] were carried out in the Biological Sciences Laboratory of Modibbo Adama University of Technology, Yola using completely Randomized Design (CRD). Two  thousand grammes of healthy  Irish  potato tubers were stored in ‘A’ medium-sized (35x30x23cm) perforated plastic basin and covered with chaff of guinea corn, in ‘B’ the potatoes were smeared with 2.0g of wood ash and kept in (35x30x23cm) perforated plastic basin , in ‘C’ the potatoes were kept in a medium size (38x25x18cm) box, in ‘D’ the potatoes were heaped on a clean floor and covered with 30cm rice straw  with a ventilating duct, in ‘E’ they were stored underground (20x30cm) hole and lastly ‘F’ the potatoes were left on the ground which served as control (untreated). Data were collected every week for six weeks on percent weight loss and rot development, the data obtained were analyzed using Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and the means that were significant were separated using the Least Significant Difference (LSD). Results showed that wood ash provided the best storage medium with a weight loss of 43g. This is followed by straw which recorded 53g and the highest was the storage in box with  110g weight loss.  On rot development wood ash also proved most effective with a least mean value of 56g, followed by rice straw 122g, while underground storage was the least with 322g. Analysis of variance showed significance differences among the various treatments. Storage of Solanum tuberosum tubers in wood ash and rice straw are the most suitable control measure.

Keywords: Solanum tuberosum, weight loss, rot development, rice straw, guinea corn chaff and wood ash.

DOI: 10.7176/JBAH/9-4-03