Author(s)

Yapo Hypolithe Kouadio¹, Kouakou Nestor Kouassi^1,2*, Daouda Nimaga^2,3, Yao Denis N’dri¹, N’Guessan Georges Amani¹

¹Laboratory of Food Biochemistry and Technology of Tropical Products, Department of Food Science and Technology, NANGUI ABROGOUA University, Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire.
²Swiss Center for Scientific Research in Côte d’Ivoire (CSRS-CI), Abidjan , Côte d’Ivoire.
³Agronomic, Forestry and Environmental Engineering Department, University of Man, Man, Côte d’Ivoire.

Yam “Kponan” (Dioscorea cayenensis-rotundata) is a popular staple food in C?te d’Ivoire. However, its rapid decay during conservation prevents regular supply of markets. The objective of this study was therefore to assess the impact of field cultivation and conservation practices on some physical quality parameters of “Kponan”. To this end, “Kponan” yam from three production areas (Bondoukou, Bouna, Kouassi-Kouassikro) was cultivated in each area. At maturity, physical parameters of yams at harvest and after 3 months of storage in field were analyzed. The results showed that injury was the most significant deterioration in yam harvest. The rate of injured yams was highest for hoe-harvested in Kouassi-Kouassikro area (16.67% - 22.22%) regardless of the origin of the cuttings. The main damage observed after the 3 months of storage was rots (22.86% - 60.00%) and weight loss (8.57% - 42.86%). However, yams stored in pits in Bouna zone had less damage (40% - 48.87%) than those stored under straw huts in Bondoukou locality (100%) and at shade under a tree in Kouassi-Kouassikro area (100%). In conclusion, the physical quality of “Kponan” in field is most affected by abusive use of herbicides during weeding and clearing, hoe harvesting and storage in the shade under a tree.

“Kponan” Yam, Post-Harvest Loss, Cultivation Practices, Conservation Practices, Physical Quality

Kouadio, Y. , Kouassi, K. , Nimaga, D. , N’dri, Y. and Amani, N. (2022) Impacts of Field Harvesting and Conservation Practices on the Physical Quality of Yam “Kponan” (Dioscorea cayenensis-rotundata) of Côte d’Ivoire. Open Journal of Applied Sciences, 12, 1979-1994. doi: 10.4236/ojapps.2022.1212138.