Studies on three storage structures for sweetpotato (Ipomea batatas L.) in Ghana

Abstract

The effectiveness of three storage structures for sweet potato in Ghana was studied. Sweet potato roots initially cured for 7 days (Batch 1) and 14 days (Batch 2) were stored in the local, pit and clamp storage structures for approximately 3 months. The decrease in percentage wholesome roots corresponded to an increase in percentage fungi infected roots from 0 to 84 days of storage in all the different storage structures. Clamp storage structure recorded the highest percentage wholesome roots (20.0%) as compared to pit (16.3%) and local (0%) after 84 days of storage when roots were cured for 7 days. However for 14 days cured roots stored for 84 days, local storage structure recorded the highest percentage wholesome roots (20.0%), pit (0%). Highest incidence of fungi (100.0%) was recorded in the local storage for 7 days cured roots. However pit storage structure recorded the highest incidence of fungi (100.0%) when roots were cured for 14 days. Percentage sprouted were significantly higher in clamp storage structure as compared to local and pit. Percentage insects, rodents infested roots were also significantly low in all the three storage structures