The Efficacy Of Botanical Protectants In The Storage Of Cocoyam ( Colocasia esculenta (L) Schott)

Abstract

Aqueous extracts made from Ocimum basilium L., Vernonia amygdalina Del., Azadirachta indica L. and Carica papaya L. at different concentrations (150g/l and 300g/l) were used to study their effects on corm fresh weight loss, rotting and sprouting of two cocoyam varieties (Colocasia esculenta var. “Ede Ofe” and var. Ugwuta”). All the aqueous extracts at both 150g/I and 300g/I reduced fresh weight loss and rotting of corms in both varieties better than in water control. O. basilium L. at both 150g/I and 300g/I significantly reduced fresh weight loss and rotting of corms in both varieties compared to all other extracts and also promoted higher sprouting in both varieties at 300g/l. C. esculenta var. “Ede ofe” had less weight loss, rotting of corms (i. e. were more storable) and less sprouting than C. esculenta var. “Ugwuta”. Agro-Science Vol. 7 (2) 2008: pp. 93-98