Yam production in some South East and North Central zones of Nigeria beyond COVID-19 for acceleration towards inclusive sustainable development

This study evaluated the effect of socio-economic characteristics of small-scale yam farmers on the productivity and income levels of yam farmers beyond COVID-19 in some part of yam producing areas of South East and North Central zones (Benue, Ebonyi, Enugu and Kogi States) of Nigeria. Respondents (200) were selected by random sampling using a structured questionnaire. Data were analyzed using descriptive and correlation analysis. Majority of the respondents (71.7%) were male. COVID-19 will have serious negative impacts on the productivity and income of the yam farmers due to sex difference in angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) 2 receptor and transmembrane serine protease 2 TMPRSS2 regulations. Majority (34.8%) of the respondents were within the age range of 55-64 years which might place them at increased risk of severe impact from COVID-19. Most of the respondents (37.9%) were with First School Leaving Certificate (FSLC) which will be aggravated by global lockdown of education institutions. COVID-19 pandemic has created the largest disruption of education systems due to closure of schools and other learning spaces as well as inability of many parents to work making financing of education to face big challenges. Most of the respondents (35.4%) had farm size of three hectares. Most of the respondents (37.9%) earned between ₦151,000 and ₦200,000 per hectare. This income informal economy will be affected by COVID-19 control measures. Majority of the respondents (70.2%) had between 21 to 30 years of yam farming experience. At this length of experience, it is expected that they will be within the age range that is more vulnerable to COVID-19 pandemic. Using Pearson correlation coefficient to assess the relationship between socio-economic factors farm characteristics of small-scale yam farmers establishes that farm experience significantly (p < 0.05) correlated with age of the respondents. Marital status was significantly (p < 0.05) correlated with age (0.548) and farm experience (0.932) of the respondents. Key words: yam farmers, socio-economic factors, productivity, small-scal

Effects of fermentation length and varieties on the pasting properties of sour cassava starch

The effects of length of fermentation (5, 10, 15, 20 and 25 days) on pasting properties of sour starches produced from six cassava varieties were investigated. There were significant differences (p < 0.05) in pasting properties except pasting temperature and breakdown viscosity, irrespective of the length of fermentation. Peak viscosity ranged from 308.50 to 466.63 rapid visco unit (RVU), trough ranged from 67.25 to 198.75 RVU, break down ranged from 147.71 to 320.25 RVU, final viscosity ranged from 100.29 to 233.00 RVU, set back ranged from 31.59 to 54.58 RVU, peak time ranged from 3.60 to 4.06 min and pasting temperature ranged from 62.85 to 65.45°C. Sour starches made from TMS 30572, TMS 4(2) 1425 and 96/0603 cassava varieties recorded the highest values.Key words: Cassava, fermentation, pasting, starch, varieties

Quantitative assessment of trace and macro element compositions of cassava (Manihot esculenta) storage roots enriched with B-Carotene as influenced by genotypes and growing locations

Open Access Journal; Published online: 08 Dec 2020Cassava’s important mineral contents depends on some factors, including genetic and growing locational factors. The study aimed to evaluate the influence of genotype and growing locations on the mineral concentrations in yellow-fleshed cassava root genotypes. Twenty-five pipeline yellow-fleshed cassava genotypes and three white-fleshed varieties (check samples) were planted at five different experimental fields for two seasons, each representing the major agroecological zones in Nigeria. Standard laboratory protocols were employed in the sampling to ensure zero contamination, and the trace and macro elements were determined using the inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopic method (ICPOES). The trace and macro elements identified in all the genotypes and varieties investigated were Fe, Mn, B, Cu, Mo, Co, Ni, Zn, and Al; Ca, Mg, Na, K. P, and S respectively. Genotype and growing location had a highly significant (p < 0.05) effect on all the trace elements except Ti and Cr. However, there was no interactive effect between genotype and growing location on all the trace elements except for Pb and Zn. Among the explanatory variables, the variable growing location was the most influential on macro and trace elements. Conclusively, genotypes 01/1442 and 01/1273 have outstanding trace and macro element concentrations

Evaluation of the pasting characteristics of cassava roots grown in different locations in Nigeria from the Genetic Gain Assessment trial

Open Access Journal; Published online: 28 Oct 2022The cooking quality, especially the pasting properties, is essential in cassava starch applications or successfully utilizing cassava in food industries and at the household level. This study evaluated the cassava roots from the Genetic Gain Assessment trial grown in three locations for dry matter (DM) and the pasting characteristics. Four hundred cassava genotypes were planted under IVS (Dry season in Inland Valley Hydromorphic area) and Upland (rain-fed conditions) trials at IITA Research Farms, Nigeria. The harvested cassava roots (12 months after planting) were analyzed for DM, and the dried-milled roots were analyzed for pasting properties using standard laboratory methods. The DM ranged from 25.04 to 38.72%, with a mean of 31.97 ± 2.41%. The pasting properties (peak, trough, breakdown, setback and final viscosities) ranged from 140.36–570.93 RVU (mean 241.71 ± 38.17), 6.74–173.32 RVU (mean 96.65 ± 23.45), 66.97–482.35 RVU (mean 142.44 ± 30.16), 60.06–231.74RVU (mean 134.42 ± 30.52), and 5.22–135.69 RVU (mean 37.78 ± 12.96), respectively. The genotypes had no significant effect (P > 0.05) on the DM and pasting properties, but the growing location showed a highly significant effect (P < 0.05) on all the parameters studied. The cluster analysis grouped the genotypes into 2 clusters where clusters 1 and 2 had 115 and 285 genotypes, respectively. Knowing the impact of genotype and grown location on the pasting behavior could help the breeders select the best genotypes with excellent qualities that could adapt to different environments and identify the suitable growing area for the best cooking quality

Double burden of malnutrition: evidence from a selected Nigerian population

Open Access JournalIndices reflecting the double burden of malnutrition in sub-Saharan Africa are increasing. Evidence to support this claim in households of Africa’s most populous country—Nigeria—is scant. This study, therefore, presents results from a study of mother-child pairs sampled from Akwa Ibom State in the southern region of Nigeria. Anthropometric measures for 660 mother-child pairs were collected according to standard procedures. Indices were expressed as the standard deviation of units from the median for the reference group. Chi-square analysis was used to test significant differences in proportion, and was taken as significant. A total of 37.4% of the children were stunted out of which 19.8% were moderately stunted, and 17.6% were severely stunted. Prevalence of wasting was 13.1%, 6.2% were moderately wasted, and 6.9% were severely wasted. Mean maternal body mass index was (23.54 ± 4.60) kgm2. 9.0% were underweight mothers, 23.2% were overweight, and 9.3% were obese. The co-existence of undernutrition among children and overnutrition in women of child-bearing age is prevalent in this population. We recommend that more effort be placed on active nutrition surveillance to ascertain malnutrition prevalence and periodically reassess priority challenges

Assessment of the suitability of different cassava varieties for gari and fufu flour production in Liberia

Open Access Article; Published online: 15 Feb 2020Different cassava varieties are available in Liberia, but there is little knowledge of their product suitability. Hence, the need to assess the potentials of these varieties to produce gari and fufu flour. The two products from ten improved and two local cassava varieties were characterized based on their yield and chemical, pasting and functional properties using standard methods. The results showed that TMS 96/0097 (gari 27.54%) and Butter cassava (fufu flour 27.35%) have the highest percentage yields. The starch content was higher in gari produced from TMS98/0505 (92.00%) and lower from TMS95/0289 (82.62%); the fufu flour starch content was higher in TMS98/0505 (90.59%) and lower in Bassa girl (84.75%). Gari and fufu flour produced from TMS96/0097 (507.38 RUV) and TMS00/0357 (506.04 RVU) had the highest final viscosity, and the products from TMS95/0289 (338.46 RVU and 336.80 RVU) had the least. The highest swelling power was found in gari (12.74%) and fufu flour (13.55%) produced from TMS92/0057 and the lowest in TMS91/0416 gari (8.23%) and TMS01/1235 fufu flour (8.31%). All the samples may form a paste below the boiling point of water (100°C) at < 7 min. However, cassava varieties and the interactions between varieties and locations had a significant (P < 0.05) effect on the properties of the products: Chemical (except ash content), pasting (except pasting temperature) and functional. Therefore, all the varieties may be suitable for gari and fufu flour production based on the quality preferred by the consumers

Assessment of chemical properties of yellow-fleshed cassava (Manihot esculenta) roots as affected by genotypes and growing environments

Open Access ArticleThe study evaluated the effect of genotype and growing locations on biofortified cassava root genotypes’ chemical properties. Twentyeight genotypes of biofortified yellow and white-fleshed cassava were planted across four geographical areas in Nigeria and harvested for two seasons. This research analyzed the chemical properties (DM, VC, TC, and CNP) of the samples using standard laboratory procedures. ANOVA, descriptive analysis, PCA, and HCA was carried out on the generated data using SAS software. Genotypes 94/0006 and 01/1273 had the highest and lowest DM values (31.9 and 18.3 g/100 g). Of the bio-fortified genotypes tested, 76% had VC values lower than that averaged by check samples. Genotype 01/1331 had the highest CNP value (33.1 mg/100 g), and 01/1115 had the lowest (5.7 mg/100 g). TC values in genotypes 1368, 01/1371, 01/1412, and 01/1277 were above 7.0 5 µg/g. Genotype and growing environment had a highly significant effect (P≤0.01) on the studied chemical properties. Genotype by location interaction influenced VC weakly (P≤0.05). Values of DM, VC, and CNP were environment-dependent, but TC was genotype-dependent. PCA compressed data to PC1, PC2, and PC3, accounting cumulatively for 89.1%, and cluster analysis (CA) grouped the genotypes into three groups based on similarities in their chemical properties. These findings are applicable in identifying the best-biofortified cassava genotypes in breeding programs that in the future can be applied by farmers

Characterization of macro and micro-minerals in cassava leaves from genotypes planted in three different agroecological locations in Nigeria

Open Access Journal; Published online: 16 Nov 2022Diversity in the mineral composition of cassava leaves bred in sub-Saharan Africa has not been fully investigated. This study characterized macro and micro-minerals in 400 genotypes of Cassava leaves planted in three different agroecological environments in Nigeria. Laboratory analysis of the leaves was done using an Inductively Coupled Optical Emission Spectrometer. Across all three locations sampled in this study, the iron content ranged from 43 to 660 mg/kg, zinc from 16 to 440 mg/kg, Manganese 16–61mg/kg, Copper 0.7–14 mg/kg, Aluminum 5.3–630 mg/kg. Among the macro elements, Calcium ranged from 3600 to 17600 mg/kg, Magnesium 1760–6500 mg/kg, Sodium 0.4–720 mg/kg, Potassium 3100–27000 mg/kg. When the location effect was tested, there was a significant difference among the genotypes for all elements. Cluster analysis resulted in five clusters containing 187, 147, 60, 2, and 4 genotypes, respectively. Cluster 2 contained eight varieties (01/0046, 94/0020, 93/0098, 88/112-7(3X), I00/0017, 91/00417, I00/0017, 88/112-7(3X)) that possessed the highest mineral compositions in Fe, Al, Ti, Na, K, S, Mn, and B, respectively. Genotypes 93/0681(4X), 92/0430, and 95/0460 in cluster 3 had the highest concentrations of Mg, Na, and Zn, respectively. The correlation results showed a notable positive relationship among iron with zinc, copper, aluminum, and titanium (r = 0.33, 0.39, 0.48, and 0.56, respectively), zinc with nickel, titanium, and sulphur (r = 0.52, 0.3,2 and 0.51, respectively) while calcium negatively correlated with potassium (r = ‒ 0.31), phosphorus (r = ‒0.41). This study provides evidence that genotypic diversity exists for mineral composition in cassava leaves and, therefore, can be exploited for genetic improvement by breeders seeking solutions to reduce persistent mineral deficiencies in sub-Saharan Africa

Correlate the cyanogenic potential and dry matter content of cassava roots and leaves grown in different environments

Open Access JournalCassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) is an essential stable food crop in Sub-Saharan Africa commonly consumed amongst the low-income communities in Africa. Though cassava roots and leaf have vast economic and commercial benefits, it produces cyanogenic glycosides, which are toxic and most often responsible for the bitter taste of some cassava cultivars. The study evaluates the cassava roots and leaves’ cyanogenic potential and dry matter content of the Genetic Gain Assessment trial grown in a different environment. It establishes the association between the cyanogenic potential (CNP) and the roots and leaves dry matter (DM). Genetic Gain Assessment (GGA) cassava genotypes (N = 400) selected for the Uniform Yield Trial (UYT) breeding stage were planted under IVS (Dry season in Inland Valley Hydromorphic area) and Upland (rain-fed conditions) in two locations of IITA Research Farms, namely; Ibadan (IVS and Upland) and Mokwa (Upland) in Nigeria. The CNP content of cassava leaves in IVS, Mokwa, and Upland ranged from 3.39 to 272.16 mg/100 g, 4.28 to 228.72 mg/100 g, and 13.13 to 127.39 mg/100 g, respectively. However, the respective CNP range in root samples across IVS, Mokwa, and Upland was 0.76–76.31 mg/100 g, 0.94–136.53 mg/100 g, and 2.37–47.11 mg/100 g. Also, the mean ± SD of DM content of leaves were 27.97 ± 3.01%, 28.81 ± 4.01%, and 13.65 ± 3.69%, respectively, in IVS, Mokwa, and Upland, while the root samples had mean ± SD of DM content of 38.09 ± 4.80%, 32.69 ± ,5.93% and 24.63 ± 5.07% respectively. Furthermore, location and genotype had a highly significant effect (p < 0.001) on the CNP and DM of roots and leaves. Also, linear regressions were established between CNP and DM of root and leaf with regression equation; DM-Root = 1.1999*DM-Leaf (r = 0.956) and CNP-Root = 0.29006*CNP-Leaf (r = 0.54). The relationship between the DM (root and leaf) and CNP (root and leaf) could serve as a valuable “inter-prediction” tool for these parameters

Correlation of the sensory attributes of thick yam paste (amala) and the functional and pasting properties of the flour as affected by storage periods and packaging materials

Open Access Article; Published online: 06 Jul 2020This study aims to evaluate the relationship between the sensory attributes of amala and the functional and pasting properties of the yam flour (YF) as affected by storage periods and packaging materials. Results showed that all the functional (except swelling power) and pasting properties of the YF were significantly affected (p < .05) by the storage periods. The peak and trough viscosities of polypropylene woven sack (PPS) packaged YF have significant negative correlation with the texture (r = −.89 & r = −.90; p < .05), stretchability (r = −.87 & r = −.83; p < .05), moldability (r = −.90 & r = −.89; p < .05), and overall acceptability (r = −.90 & r = −.89; p < .05) of the amala, respectively. Amala produced from polyvinyl chloride container (PVC) packaged YF was generally acceptable even at the 16 weeks of storage. Therefore, packaging YF in PVC may keep most of the properties preferred by the consumers when stored for up to 4 months. Practical applications This research shows the relationship between the sensory attributes of thick yam paste (amala) and the functional and pasting properties of the flour as affected by the storage periods and packaging materials. The use of polypropylene woven sack and polyvinyl chloride container in the storage of yam flour for 20 weeks shows different functional and pasting properties, and thus varying relationships with the sensory attributes of the amala. Yam flour should be properly packaged in polyvinyl chloride containers and stored for 4 months, to keep the sensory attributes of the amala, with good pasting properties