EFFECTS OF WEATHER VARIABILITY ON POTATO (Solanum tuberosum L.) STORAGE AT KURU, JOS, PLATEAU STATE , NIGERIA

Abstract

This study examined the effects of two weather elements on potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) storage using three varieties such as (Nicola, Bertita and Diamant) and four different storage media (clay pot, basket, plastic crate and wooden crate). Daily mean Temperature (oc) and Relative humidity (%) were collected for the period of storage using thermo hygrograph. Each variety was divided into ware and seed tubers. Each method of storage was replicated three times and the experimental design was randomized complete block. ANOVA was used to analyze the data using gens tad statistical package. Results showed that, temperature and relative humidity influenced potato storage because as temperature increases, percentage sprout increases. It was also observed that, storing the three varieties used in this experiment for a period of four weeks and under temperature of 22.9oC and 61 % relative humidity, the Bertita variety sprouted faster, while Nicola had the lowest percentage sprouts. Also, storing potato at a temperature 23.3oC and 51 % for six weeks, Bertita had the highest percentage sprout, while the Nicola variety stored better because of the lower percentage sprout. High relative humidity increases the shelf life of potato while low humidity leads to dehydration of seed stored. The study concluded that, global warming influences potato storage because as temperature increases, percentage sprout increases. It was thereafter recommended that, data on all climate parameters should be collected, analyzed, and used for further study so as to view the effect of each parameter on potato storage.