Impact of Selected Storage Methods on Physical Properties of Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) Tuber

Potatoes are starchy tubers consumed as staples in most parts of the world. Its storage is critical in preserving tuber quality, reducing post-harvest losses, and ensuring food security. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of four storage methods consisting of pit storage (PS), room storage (RS), metal-in-block evaporative cooling system (EC), and charcoal cooling chamber (CC) on the physical properties of potato. The objectives were to evaluate stored potato's weight loss, decay indices, sprouting, pulp-to-peel ratio, pulp yield, and dry matter content. The study employed a randomized complete block design involving four storage methods (PS, RS, EC, and CC). Samples from the various storage methods containing 4.8-5.0 kg of potato were analyzed every two weeks for eight weeks. The physical properties of the potato were assessed, data obtained were subjected to analysis of variance, and means were separated using the Duncan multiple range test. The findings of this study were that storage methods had significant effects (p<0.05) on potatoes and CC was lowest in decay indices (8.03%) and highest in pulp-to-peel ratio (7.00) and yield (87.58%). The study concluded that the different storage methods significantly influenced the physical properties of potato and CC was the most effective method for preserving potato physical properties. The study, therefore recommended CC for adoption. Further research on the nutrient composition of potato from these storage methods could be carried out to augment the findings of this study.