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The influence of root rot incidence on cassava genotype on consumers’ acceptability of the gari produced from it


SO Aigbe
SU Remison

Abstract

In Nigeria cassava root rot causes serious yield losses in cassava tuber production every year. However, the influence of root rot incidence on cassava genotype at harvest on consumers’ acceptability of the gari produced from it has not been studied. A sensory evaluation was conducted on gari processed from the tuberous root yield of rot susceptible TME-1 and improved TMS 30572, harvested at 12 months after planting at Sabongidda-Ora (humid forest eco-zone) of Nigeria during the
2003 and 2004 cropping seasons. A 5-point hedonic scale ranging from like extremely, through neither like nor dislike, to dislike extremely was designed to measure the degree of liking for the gari processed
from both genotypes. 28 panelists were asked to indicate their degree of preference for the colour, odour and taste of each gari sample by choosing the appropriate category in the hedonic scale. The results were compared with the tuberous root rot incidence and severity of genotypes in the field. All experiments were repeated and the data collected were statistically analysed using the general linear model statistical procedures with the SAS system for windows. Comparisons among treatment means was done with the least significant square, with the Duncan multiple range test (P = 0.05). Variety TME-1 with the highest root rot incidence and severity of 53 and 21% respectively was less preferred for gari colour, texture and odour compared to TMS 30572 which had 15 and 6% rot incidence and severity
respectively. In the second year trial where TME-1 still possessed the highest rot incidence and severity, panellists still showed more preference for the colour, taste and odour in TMS 30572 gari than TME-1 gari. All the differences observed and reported above between TMS 30572 and TME-1 were significantly different at probability 0.05%. The results of this experiment clearly show that high root rot incidence of a cassava genotype in the field can reduce consumer’s acceptability of the gari produced
from it.

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eISSN: 1684-5315