JOURNAL OF ROOT CROPS

Suitability of sweet potato accessions for culinary purpose - A substitute for potato

P. Pavithra, C. Thangamani, L. Pugalendhi, P. Meenakshi — Thu, 16 Jan 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Characterization of yam bean (Pachyrizhus erosus, L. Urban) germplasm (IC No. 635945) from Havelock (A & N) Island and comparison with Rajendra Mirshikand-1 (RM-1) variety

Thu, 16 Jan 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Nan-khatai: A cassava flour-based cookie

Thu, 16 Jan 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Abstract
Nan-khatai, a bakery product traditionally prepared using refined wheat flour (maida). A study was planned to develop and evaluate nan-khatai using cassava flour. The treatment consisted of combination of refined wheat flour and cassava flour; T1- refined wheat flour: cassava 100:0, T2- refined wheat flour: cassava 75:25, T3 - refined wheat flour: cassava 50:50, T4 - refined wheat flour: cassava 25:75 and T5 -refined wheat flour: cassava 0:100. The developed product was tested for sensory evaluation. Using 9-point hedonic scale, sensory evaluation was carried out for (i) appearance or colour, (ii) taste and flavor, (iii) smell or odour, (iv) texture or mouth feel or sweetness. As per score card, the product with combination of refined wheat flour and cassava flour in the ratio of 100:0 (T1), 75:25 (T2) and 50:50 (T3) were liked very much (LVM) on the basis of appearance, taste, smell, texture or mouthfeel. The a combination of refined wheat flour and cassava flour 25:75 (T4 ) was liked moderately (LM) for the above sensory parameters. The combination ratio of refined wheat flour: cassava 0:100 (T5 ) was liked slightly. The outcome of this research can be used as valuable ideas for the development of high-fibre low gluten cookies.

Influence of NUE genotypes on yield and nutrient use efficiency (NUE) parameters in the selection of K use efficient cassava genotypes

K. Susan John, M.N. Sheela — Thu, 16 Jan 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Abstract
It is known that chemical fertilizers are one of the expensive inputs used by farmers to achieve desired crop yields along with improvement in soil fertility. But the recovery of applied inorganic fertilizers or the use efficiency of nutrients by plants is low in many soils due to various reasons and hence there exists a need to increase the nutrient use efficiency (NUE). Among the primary nutrients, K is considered as the ‘key nutrient’ for tuber crops due to its effect both on tuber yield and tuber quality. Hence, at ICAR- CTCRI, experiments were initiated since 2008 to screen K use efficient genotypes in cassava to reduce the use of chemical K fertilizers which in turn are fully imported. In this respect, detailed experiments for three seasons were conducted with six genotypes viz., Aniyoor, W-19, 7 Sahya-3, 6-6, CR 43-8 and 7III E3-5 selected from the preliminary screening of 83 elite genotypes at four levels of K viz., (0, 50, 100, 150 kg K₂O ha^-1) in a split plot design. This paper describes the independent effect of genotypes, years and interaction effect of genotypes over years on tuber yield and nutrient use efficiency parameters which in turn was used in the selection of most K efficient genotypes. The data generated on these parameters for the three years was statistically analysed using Genstat and seen significant independent effect of genotypes on tuber yield during first and third years, K uptake ratio (KUR) during the second and third years and percent K utilization for biomass (% KUB) during the third year. Pooled effect of genot over years was significant for tuber yield, utilization efficiency (UE), harvest index (HI), % K utilization for tuber (% KUT), K efficiency ratio (KER), K harvest index (KHI), K uptake ratio (KUR) and % K utilization for biomass (% KUB). Years imparted significant effect in the case of agro physiological efficiency (APE) and % KUB during the three years. The overall effect of years was significant for agronomic efficiency (AE), APE, KUR % KUB. The interaction effect of genotypes and years of experimentation was significant for tuber yield, KER, KUR and % KUB. Based on the studied parameters, Aniyoor and 7 III E3-5 was selected as K efficient.

Pearl millet incorporated sweet potato choco-filled cookies

C. Pradeepika, K. Athira, T. Krishnakumar, M.S. Sajeev, K. Hanume Gowda — Thu, 16 Jan 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Abstract

Sweet potato and pearl millet are good sources of dietary fiber and health protective antioxidants with potential protection against chronic oxidative stress commonly associated with pathogenesis of non-communicable chronic diseases (NCDs). Therefore, targeting sweet potato and pearl millet in ethnic or functional food design address chronic oxidative stress-linked NCD challenges such as early stages of type 2 diabetes and its associated complications has significant merit. Thus, the aim of this study was to standardize the formulation for the development of pearl millet incorporated sweet potato choco-filled cookies. Among the eight different formulations based on completely randomized design, treatment five (T5) showed significantly higher nutritional and sensory characteristics. The protein content ranged between 2.61 to 4.75 mg 100 g^-1 dry weight (dw), starch 39.59 to 45.58 mg 100 g^-1 dw, fiber 0.21 to 0.51 mg 100 g^-1 dw, ash 3.52 to 6.48 mg 100 g^-1 dw. In addition, micronutrient analysis revealed the presence of good amounts of micronutrients such as calcium (0.99 to 3.40 ppm), iron (1.05 to 1.67 ppm), magnesium (0.27 to 0.34 ppm), zinc (0.16 to 0.27 ppm), and copper (0.04 to 0.09 ppm). Results of this study indicated that the compsotion containing 40% of sweet potato, 40% of pearl millet, and 20% of wheat flour showed higher nutritional and sensory attributes compared to other formulations.

Assessment of variability in temperature tolerance and antagonistic activity among Trichoderma isolates for biological control applications

S.S. Veena, Chithra Vinod, J. Sreekumar, S. Karthikeyan, M.L. Jeeva — Thu, 16 Jan 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Abstract

Trichoderma is a well-known genus of fungi, widely recognized for its role in biocontrol within agricultural systems. These fungi are commonly found in the soil and root zones of plants, where they contribute to enhance plant health and control diseases caused by soil-borne pathogens. The use of Trichoderma, either alone or in combination with organic amendments, is recommended for managing major diseases in tropical tuber crops. These include tuber rot and stem and root rot in cassava, anthracnose in yam, collar rot and postharvest rot in elephant foot yam, and taro leaf blight. Understanding the environmental conditions, particularly temperature tolerance, is crucial to optimize the effectiveness of Trichoderma across different climates. The present study examined the variability in both antagonistic potential and temperature tolerance of 97 Trichoderma isolates collected from various regions across the country. The antagonistic potential was assessed against Sclerotium rolfsii, pathogen that causes collar rot in elephant foot yam. The isolates demonstrated a wide range of mycelial growth inhibition, from 66.11% to 100%, with 17 isolates achieving complete inhibition of S. rolfsii. All isolates were able to grow within a temperature range of 15°C to 35°C, with optimal growth observed at 30°C, followed by 35°C. Two isolates were capable of thriving at temperatures as high as 40°C indicating their valuable use in regions with extreme climatic conditions. This variation in antagonistic potential and temperature tolerance among the isolates is valuable for selecting and developing effective isolates for specific crops, pathogens, and regions

Women in Chinese potato cultivation in Tamil Nadu: A multidimensional analysis

Sheela Immanuel, D. Jaganathan, P. Prakash, R. Muthuraj — Thu, 16 Jan 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Abstract
Women’s contribution in agriculture is witnessed throughout the globe and their participation is contributing for the growth and development of the economy either directly or indirectly. Women tend to participate in major agricultural activities such as transplanting, weeding, irrigation, harvesting and post harvest activities. Chinese potato is a minor tuber crop grown on a commercial scale mostly in Kerala and Tamil Nadu. Farmers along the belt of Tirunelveli and Tenkasi districts in Tamil Nadu are cultivatingChinese potato due to its high demand and adaptability to the local climatic conditions. Women also play an important role in Chinese potato cultivation and hence a multidimensional analysis was conducted in Tenkasi and Tirunelveli districts. Household survey was conducted using simple random sampling with the help of an interview schedule. The data collected were analysed using appropriate statistical tools. The study revealed that 30.30 percent of women had more than 20 years of experience in Chinese potato cultivation. Majority (87.88%) of the women cultivated Chinese potato in marginal farms of less than 2.5 acres. Majority of the women’s level of aspiration and innovativeness were medium with 72.73% and 63.64% respectively. The needs, preferences, opportunities and constraints of the farm women were assessed to formulate strategies and action plan to empower women in Chinese potato cultivation.

Morphological and biochemical profile of ex situ conserved Homalomena aromatica (Schott) - an underutilised indigenous tuber crop

Thu, 16 Jan 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Abstract
Two germplasm accessions (CTCRI-PM-HA-01 and CTCRI-PM-HA-02) of rhizomatous herb Homalomena aromatica collected from Cachar, Assam were evaluated under ex situ conditions (ICAR- CTCRI, Thiruvananthapuram) for 17 quantitative and 28 qualitative characters along with biochemical profile including essential oil for improvement and conservation. Under the quantitative characterisation, the highest standard deviation was observed for tuber weight (18.4) followed by tuber length (16.5) and plant span (9.19). Standard deviation was highest for moisture content (10.4) followed by total starch (4.77) and crude protein (1.14) when considering mean nutrient values of stem, leaf and rhizome. The germplasm accessions exhibited similarity for 57.14% and differed for 42.85% in qualitative characters. The discriminated qualitative traits are leaf base shape (with regard to the petiole attachment), predominant position (shape) of leaf lamina surface, leaf blade margin, leaf blade colour variegation, type of variegation, leaf blade margin colour, petiole junction colour, petiole stripe, rhizome shape, rhizome cortex colour, rhizome flesh colour of central part and root colour. The average estimated values observed for important nutrients viz., total starch, fibre, fat and crude protein are 11.4, 2.53,1.48, 2.75 in rhizome 3.3, 1.73, 2.43,0.47 in stem, 2.97, 2.75, 2.63 and 1.55 in leaves, respectively. Rhizome contains 0.235% essential oil. Outcome of this research is that H. aromatica exhibited variations for economically important traits and accordingly, trait specific germplasm exploration and conservation are to be undertaken.

A non-destructive technique for estimation of amylose, resistant starch and starch in potato using NIR spectroscopy

Thu, 16 Jan 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Abstract
The NIRMaster is a bench top Near Infrared Spectroscopy (NIRS) for quantification and identification of the biochemical components at 0.1% level. NIRS generates a characteristic spectrum that is distinct for a given sample and allows identification as well as quantification of its components and it is a non-destructive, rapid method for the determination of biochemical parameters. In this current study about forty-eight potato cultivars were studied for amylose, resistant starch and starch contents respectively to develop calibrated models using NIRMaster. Training and calibration part was done using the fresh produce of potatoes harvested from the Modipuram campus of ICAR-CPRI and validation was done using fresh produce from the same location as well as advance-colored hybrids from Patna center of ICAR-CPRI. The reference predicted values for amylose, resistant starch and starch were in the range of 15.81 to 32.83%, 24.38 to 48.49% and 41.15 to 56.21% respectively. The developed methods showed accuracy in the range of approximately 60-70% for all the targeted parameters. However, accuracy can be further enhanced by expanding the training/ calibration sample sets. The results obtained in this study have shown high applicability of NIR spectroscopy for the measurement of amylose, resistant starch, and starch content for potato samples for quicker estimation.This is the first report being presented on NIR spectroscopy about the nutritional composition of Indigenous potato varieties.