Influence of Fertilizer on the Yield and Quality Parameters of Garri from Two Improved Cassava Cultivars (TME 419 and TMS 01/1412)

Aims: Food insecurity is a major problem in developing countries, to overcome this problem, fertilizers are used to increase yield of agricultural produce. However, fertilizer may affect the quality of processed products. This study aimed to investigate the influence of fertilizer treatments levels on yield and quality properties of garri from two improved cassava varieties (TME 419 and TMS 01/1412).

Methodology: Cassava roots were planted with varying fertilizer levels [50% (45, 20 and 35 kg/hectare of NPK-12-12-17, Muriate of Potash and Urea, respectively) and 100% (90, 40 and 70 kg/hectare of NPK-12-12-17, Muriate of Potash and Urea, respectively)]. Garri yield, chemical, physicochemical, pasting properties, and sensory attributes of garri were evaluated.

Results: Results showed 30% and 22% increase in garri yield from 100% fertilized TME and TMS cassava root, respectively. The chemical contents of the garri samples increased with increasing fertilizer level. Cyanide contents of the garri samples decrease with increasing fertilizer level. Garri from 100% fertilizer treatment had higher water absorption capacity (3.51 g/ml and 3.32 g/ml), reconstitution index (72.75% and 77.20%) and gelation index (7.0% and 8.0%), but lower swelling capacity (3.43 g/ml and 3.02 g/ml) and bulk density (0.55 g/cm3 and 0.51 g/cm3) in TME and TMS cultivar, respectively.

Conclusion: High level of fertilizer application improved the chemical components, reduced the cyanide contents and pasting properties of garri samples from the two cassava cultivars.