Abstract

Storage of cassava (Manihot esculenta Cruntz.) planting materials has been a challenge because of its properties of moisture and carbohydrates loss under storage. Two varieties of cassava cuttings 1 m long, stored for four months under four different storage methods in two locations Kabete and Kiboko. The storage methods were clamp under double shade (CUDS), horizontal under shade (HUS), vertical under shade (VUS) and the control horizontal under open ground (HOUG). In each storage method data loggers were installed to record temperature and RH. Percentage carbohydrate, moisture content (MC), 100% dry cuttings (DC) and cuttings dried to 25% or more of its stored length but not 100% were measured at intervals of 4 weeks. Data were subjected ANOVA and means separated using LSD. CUDS performed better than other storage methods in all parameters measured. The results showed cuttings stored under CUDS lost less moisture than those stored in HUOG. The moisture loss in CUDS was from 70.16%-56.69% while that of HUOG dropped from 70.16% to 27.26% within 8 weeks after storage. High rate of carbohydrate loss was observed in Kiboko than Kabete. Mean temperatures were 25 °C Kiboko and 22 °C Kabete. The results showed that temperature had effect on loss of carbohydrate. The results have proven that safe storage of cassava planting material is affected by plant related factors as well as environmental conditions.

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