Effect of tillage, fertilizers and storage structures on quality shelf life of white yam (Dioscorea rotundata Poir) in south west Nigeria
1 Department of Agricultural Technology, the Federal Polytechnic, PMB 5351. Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria.
2 Department of Horticultural Technology, the Federal Polytechnic, PMB 5351. Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria.
Research Article
World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews, 2024, 21(02), 1283–1298
Article DOI: 10.30574/wjarr.2024.21.2.0534
Publication history:
Received on 06 January 2024; revised on 14 Februay 2024; accepted on 17 February 2024
Abstract:
This study examined the effect of tillage, fertilizers and storage structures on quality shelf life of white yam in South West Nigeria. The study was a factorial experiment consisting of Tillage, Fertilizers and Storage Structure. The tillage system involved Heap Tillage (HT) and Ridge Tillage (RT), while Fertilizers involved Poultry Manure (PM), N15P15K15 (NPK) and Control (CLT) and two types of Storage Structures namely; Traditional Barn (TB) and Open Sided Storage Structure (OSSS) were combined to form the treatments. The experiment was a 2x3x2 factorial combination arranged in a Randomised Complete Block Design (RCBD). The treatments were replicated three times for each location respectively. A total of 72 ridges and 144 heaps were used to make a population of 288 plants per location. The tubers were weighed to ensure uniformity before planting. The plot size was 18mx18m square with a pathway of 1.0m between blocks making a total of 324 square metres. At harvest, the tubers were weighed immediately. They were then kept separately in the two storage structures namely: Traditional Barn (TB) and the Open Side Storage Structure (OSSS) for a period of 3 months. After the 3rd months of storage, the tubers were examined and data collected. The weight of each tuber from each storage structure was taken periodically to evaluate the weight loss and assess the keeping quality periodically. The findings of this study demonstrated the significant influence of tillage, fertilizers, and storage structures on the quality, shelf life, nutrient use efficiency, and nutrient composition of white yam. Excessive fertilizer application was found to increase rotting and deterioration levels. Hence, farmers and stakeholders should carefully consider fertilizer application rates to minimize post-harvest losses and enhance food security. Further investigations are needed to explore the underlying mechanisms responsible for the observed effects and to optimize fertilizer management practices for yam storage. Organic fertilization enhances the nutrient use efficiency and nutritional quality of yam, while appropriate storage structures, play a crucial role in preserving the quality and extending the shelf life of the harvested tubers. Based on the result of the study, open sided storage should be considered by producers of yams for storing their harvested tubers due to the facts that, it performed well in minimizing nutrient lost, weight loss and decay to considerable level and prevented pests/rodents attack on yam tubers.
Keywords:
Tillage; Fertilizer; Poultry manure; Storage structure; Nutrient use efficiency; Proximate composition
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