Effect of wood ash treatment and polythene packaging on post-harvest rot of cocoyam (Xanthosoma sagittifolium)

Abstract

The effectiveness of coating with wood ash and polythene packaging in controlling rot in stored cocoyam (Xanthosoma sagittifolium) was studied. The application of wood ash and storage in perforated polythene bags was effective in controlling rotting and reducing weight losses during a 24-week period. The relative humidity inside the perforated, low-density polythene bags was higher than that outside. At the end of 24 weeks, 92% of the corms treated and stored retained their fresh appearance while 54% of those given the same wood ash treatment but not stored in polythene bags became unmarketable as a result of moisture loss and decay. Rotting was caused by Fusarium moniliforme, Fusarium solani, Aspergillus niger, and Botryodiplodia theobromae.