Postharvest Effects of Temperature and Food Wrap on Three Banana Varieties (Musa sp.) | Chapter 10 | Research Advances and Challenges in Agricultural Sciences Vol. 7

The objective of this study was to determine optimal factors for conservating banana fruit postharvest. Bananas are agricultural products being susceptible to quality changes after harvesting. The experiment was conducted to determine factors affecting storage condition and the ripening process leading to changes in post-harvest quality of 3 popular banana varieties grown in Vietnam within 20 days after harvest. Experimental results showed a statistically significant difference between the three banana varieties: (1) evaluating the influence of temperature and wrapping on the increase or decrease in reducing sugar and soluble solids content of the banana varieties. During storage, fruit samples stored at room temperature rapidly increased the reducing sugar content and soluble solids compared to the original sample after only 2 days of storage; (2) sample volume gradually decreased over storage period. Unwrapped samples at room temperature had a larger mass loss than unwrapped samples at cool temperature; samples using cool temperature wrapping had the least mass loss, only about 3% of the initial mass. The loss of volume and quality of bananas after harvest for many reasons affect farmers' income. At the same period, the results of this project can contribute to limiting post-harvest damage of bananas and prolonging ripening period as well as ensuring the nutritional value and quality of the fruit during storage.

Author(s) Details:

Truong Trong Ngon,
Can Tho University, Vietnam.

Tran Nguyen Nguyet Thanh,
Can Tho University, Vietnam.

Please see the link here: https://stm.bookpi.org/RACAS-V7/article/view/14268

Earthing up and Pruning Systems on Post-Harvest Quality of Tomato (Solanum lycopersicon) | Chapter 11 | Emerging Issues in Agricultural Sciences Vol. 1

 This study researched the effects of earthing up and trimming systems on the post-harvest quality of attractive woman. For both the field and workshop studies, the tests were conducted in split-plots set up in randomized complete block design (RCBD) and reserved random field (CRD), individually. Data on fruit yield was collected following each harvest. The average burden loss % and total dissolved solids in two together cultivations were significantly affected apiece factors (earthing up and trimming system) as determined by the judgments of the analysis of difference for those factors' individual and combined belongings. The average weight deficit %, total soluble solid residue from liquid solution, and fruit firmness in two together cultivations were significantly jolted by the treatments. The arrangements with all stem shearing and no earthing up demonstrated the highest product weight misfortune percentages. The highest crop firmness (3.41 N mm-1 in cultivation 1 and 3.24 N mm-1 in sophistication 2) was recorded from a sole stem pruning system and earthing until 30 cm. 6.09 % was recorded.The cultivations accompanying the highest total dissolved solids (TSS) percentages used a distinct stem pruning design and up to 30 cm of earthing. Farmers are urged to consider using a threefold stem pruning system as well 30 cm of earthing to optimize attractive woman postharvest.

Author(s) Details:

I. K. Keter,
Department of Plant Sciences, Chuka University, P.O. Box 109-60400, Chuka, Kenya and Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO), Coffee Research Institute, Koru Sub Center, P.O. Box 15-40104, Koru, Kenya.

G. O. Oloo-Abucheli,
Department of Plant Sciences, Chuka University, P.O. Box 109-60400, Chuka, Kenya.

M. Muraya,
Department of Plant Sciences, Chuka University, P.O. Box 109-60400, Chuka, Kenya.

C. T. Kiplangat,
Department of Plant Sciences, Chuka University, P.O. Box 109-60400, Chuka, Kenya.

Please see the link here: https://stm.bookpi.org/EIAS-V1/article/view/9821

Studies on D10 Values (γ- Irradiation) of Five Postharvest Fungal Pathogens and their Effect on the Biochemical Properties of Fresh capsicum Fruits | Chapter 7 | New Visions in Biological Science Vol. 2

 Fungi are increasingly being blamed for spoiling commercially valuable fruits and vegetables. Five postharvest fungi of pepper fruits were studied for their population responses to gamma irradiation: Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus fumigatus, Colletotrichum capsici, C. trumcatum, and Fusarium solani. At a dosage rate of 1.08KGy/hour, these fungi were irradiated at doses of 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, and 0.8KGy. The D10 values of the organisms were calculated using the Stumbo equation. The fungus were inoculated on pepper fruits for 8 days, and biochemical/physiochemical parameters (pH, total ascorbic acid, total titratable acidity, and soluble solids) as well as physiological weight loss were measured. The study used a completely randomised block design. For D10 values and biochemical parameters, GenStat 12th edition was utilised with one- and two-way Anova. The D10 values ranged from 0.714 to 0.995 KGy, with Fusarium solani being the most radio resistant and Colletotrichum species being more vulnerable to gamma irradiation's deadly effect. In general, biochemical values of fungi-inoculated pepper fruits were higher than those of control samples. Because these fungi are either harmful or saprophytic to pepper fruits, gamma irradiation decontaminated fresh pepper fruits of their bioburden, increasing their postharvest life. The physiochemical properties of pepper fruits are also affected by fungi's degrading activities.

Author (S) Details

G. K. Frimpong
Biotechnology and Nuclear Agriculture Research Institute – GAEC, Ghana.

A. A. Adekunle
Department of Botany, University of Lagos, Nigeria.

T. O. Ogundipe
Department of Botany, University of Lagos, Nigeria.

A. A. Okyere
Biotechnology and Nuclear Agriculture Research Institute – GAEC, Ghana.

View Book:- https://stm.bookpi.org/NVBS-V2/article/view/3713

Design and Performance Evaluation of an Indirect Solar Dryer: A Recent Study| Chapter 10 | Cutting-edge Research in Agricultural Sciences Vol. 13

Based on meteorological data of mean monthly values of ambient temperature, wind speed, and global solar radiation, which were 22.2oC, 3.64 m/s, and 206 W/m2 respectively, an indirect solar dryer was designed, fabricated, and evaluated in an attempt to reduce post-harvest losses of tomato that gluts in Mubi, Adamawa State, Nigeria, from August to October each year. The projected dryer has a solar collector inclined at an angle of 20.26oC to the horizontal, with an air mass-flow rate of 3.106 X 10-3 kg/s and an overall mean drying rate of 0.140 kg/h. It also had a 0.115 m3/s air volumetric flow rate and 0.065m thick lagging material. During the study months, the dryer determined that drying tomatoes from a postharvest moisture content of 95.6 percent (d.b) to a storage moisture content of 15.8 percent (d.b) took 50.8 hours (d.b). More research is needed to determine the effects of incorporating an additional source of heat or a heat reservoir to ensure day and night drying, which will improve the drying rate and, as a result, reduce drying time, following the development and evaluation of tomato-fruit dryers in other parts of the world. Tomato colour, firmness, flavour, nutritional value, and safety are all affected by the composition of the fruit at harvest and changes in composition during postharvest processing.

Author (S) Details

Bashir Aliyu
Department of Agricultural & Environmental Engineering, Modibbo Adama University of Technology, Yola, Adamawa, Nigeria.

E. K. Bwade
Department of Agricultural & Bio-Environmental Engineering Technology, Federal Polytechnic, Mubi, Adamawa, Nigeria.

View Book :- https://stm.bookpi.org/CRAS-V13/article/view/3821

Field Management, Storage Structure, Nanoparticles and Maize Weevil Pest: Important Considerations in the Sustainable Production of Maize Grains | Chapter 9 | New Perspectives in Agriculture and Crop Science Vol. 2

In the field, maize (Zea mays L.) should be grown in line with basic requirements for optimum performance and productivity. In postharvest entomology of maize (important in food security) for enhanced sustainability, the fundamental knowledge of storage structures and nanoparticles is very important because both storage technology and chemical constituents of grains have great influence on physiological activities of stored-product arthropod pests. It is possible to influence biological activities of the weevil insect because interactions of chemical constituents of grain with environmental variables of weather (temperature and relative humidity), moisture and gas are unequivocally possible too. Nanoparticles of maize grain have important associations with grain resistance to insect pest infestations and invariably, matter in the sustainable production of maize. Holistically, extent of field management of the crop, choice of storage structures, concentration and type of nanoparticles contained by a variety and the maize weevil pest, Sitophilus zeamais Motschulsky are strong determinants to sustainable maize production. To ensure sustainability, the farmer must manipulate and integrate these important factors to his favour. Insects are known to be lovers of protein, starch, minerals and some other intrinsic particles. Thus, the cultivation of a variety of maize with high amount of cherisable nanoparticles by the maize weevil insect will require more efficient storage technology against infestation and damage by the maize weevil pest. This constitutes an important recommendation for farmers seeking sustainability in maize production.

Author (s) Details

Dr. Luke Chinaru Nwosu
Department of Crop and Soil Science, University of Port Harcourt, P.M.B. 5323, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria.

Dr. Victor Chijioke Okereke
Department of Crop and Soil Science, University of Port Harcourt, P.M.B. 5323, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria.

Dr. Olutayo Modupeola Adedokun
Department of Crop and Soil Science, University of Port Harcourt, P.M.B. 5323, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria

Mr. Uwaoma Otuodichinma Aguwa
Department of Crop Science and Horticulture, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria.

View Book :- http://bp.bookpi.org/index.php/bpi/catalog/book/172

Production Challenges and Postharvest Practices of Groundnut in Northern Ghana: The Participatory Rural Appraisal Approach | Chapter 2 | New Perspectives in Agriculture and Crop Science Vol. 2

Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) production and postharvest evaluation study was undertaken in thirty (30) districts selected from the Northern Regions of Ghana, by employing the Participatory Rural Appraisal (P.R.A.) procedure. Thirty (30) districts, ten (10) from each Region (Upper West, Upper East, North East, Savannah and Northern), were chosen. Interviews and focus group discussions were held using both closed and open-ended questionnaires, and involved 600 individual key informants; 20 from each district/community and thirty (30) focus group discussions in all. The main aim of the research was to solicit general information regarding the core production constraints and postharvest activities and marketing of groundnuts as it pertains in Northern Ghana, which is the major producing area in the country. The Statistical Package for the Social Scientists (SPSS version 17.0) and Microsoft Excel were used to analyze data obtained from the questionnaire; Results were summarized into means, using standard error and percentages, where necessary. The association between storage structures and duration of groundnuts in storage was tested by the Chi-Square statistic method. Results obtained from the study shows that ‘China’ local groundnut variety was the most cultivated (76.5%, 99.5%, 96.5%) in all three regions (N/R, U/E and U/W respectively). A participatory rural appraisal ranked drought (4.43), disease (3.53), yield potential (3.50) and pests (3.23) as the major and most important production constraints. Majority (41.0%) of the farmers who were aged between 40 and 49, had no formal education (74.7%) and maintained an average farm size of 4 acres, out of which groundnut farm sizes were about 1 to 2 acres. Most of the farmers also preferred ‘Chinese’, ‘Agric-Manipinta’ and ‘Obolo’ groundnut varieties based on high yield potential (pod and seed size), ease of harvesting, drought-tolerance, earliness and high market value. Reason for choice of variety was high yielding (73.33%) and ease of harvesting and drought tolerance (32.67%). Most efficient Storage structure for groundnuts was Jute sack (93%). Average length of storage was 5-6 months (74.45%). Most common storage pests were Grain weevils (57; 9.50%) and Cercospora sp. (28; 4.67%). Most common storage diseases were Aflatoxin (78; 13%) and Aspegillus sp. (21; 3.50%). Improvement in the storage structures, therefore, has a higher likelihood of increasing the duration of groundnut in storage. The major end use of groundnut according to the study was groundnut paste (50%). Groundnuts had ready market (489; 81.50%) according to farmers. Relay of information across the value chain was mostly by colleague farmers (39.33%),MoFA (31.33%) and NGOs (13.83%). The scale of measurement used was common for bowls and 100 kg bag. Average market price of a 100 kg bag and a bowl were Ghs136.55%, Ghs3.43 respectively. 

Author (s) Details

D. Oppong-Sekyere
Department of Ecological Agriculture, Bolgatanga Polytechnic, P.O.Box 767, Bolgatanga, Ghana.

Prof. R. Akromah
Department of Crop and Soil Sciences, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi, Ghana.

E. Y. Nyamah
University of Cape Coast Business School, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana.

A. D. Ninfaa
Department of Ecological Agriculture, Bolgatanga Polytechnic, P.O.Box 767, Bolgatanga, Ghana.

M. M. Braimah
Department of Agricultural Engineering, School of Engineering, Bolgatanga Polytechnic,  P.O.Box 767, Bolgatanga, Upper East Region, Ghana.

Mrs. M. M. Akpalu
Department of Ecological Agriculture, Bolgatanga Polytechnic, P.O.Box 767, Bolgatanga, Ghana

A. R. S. Salifu
Department of Ecological Agriculture, Bolgatanga Polytechnic, P.O.Box 767, Bolgatanga, Ghana.

View Book: - http://bp.bookpi.org/index.php/bpi/catalog/book/172