Developing appropriate storage technology for sweet potatoes (Ipomoea Batatas Lam) in the coastal savannah zone of Ghana

Abstract

The storage of sweet potato tuberous root in Ghana is a major challenge to farmers and retailers. In this research, a factorial combination of four pre-storage treatments (Ash, Brine, Lantana camara extract and Control), two sweet potato varieties (TIS 2 and Ukerewe) and two storage structures (Evaporative cooling barn and Pit storage structure) in a completely randomized design (CRD) with three replications were used and evaluated over a three-month period. All the parameters studied (weevil damage, weight loss, shrinkage, decay, sprouting and wholesomeness) showed that significant differences existed among the pre-storage treatments used. Sweet potato tuberous roots pre-treated with Lantana camara extract exhibited the least weevil damage, the lowest weight loss and decay, and had more wholesome sweet potato tuberous roots. For the two varieties, TIS 2 generally stored better than Ukerewe. It was also more resistant to: weevil damage, decay, weight loss and shrinkage. Again the tuberous roots were more wholesome at the end of three months of storage. The two storage structures improved the shelf-life of sweet potatoes over eight weeks. However, after ten to twelve weeks, the Evaporative cooling barn was significantly better than the Pit storage structure. TIS 2 sweet potato variety pre-treated with Lantana camara extract was recommended for storage in Cape Coast while the Evaporative cooling barn was the preferred storage structure for sweet potato tuberous roots.