Nutritive value and effect of blanching on the trypsin and chymotrypsin inhibitor activities of selected leafy vegetables

Proximate composition, energy, mineral and vitamin contentsand the effect of blanching methods and times on the trypsinand chymotrypsin inhibitor activities were studied usingcabbage, collard, turnip, peanut, and sweet potato leaves.Results of this study indicated that, crude protein, crudefat, carbohydrate and ash contents were in the range of 15.5–25.6%, 1.4–6.5%, 60.4–73.1% and 6.8–7.5%,respectively. Total dietary fiber was lowest in cabbage (28.2 g/100 g) and highest in the collard leaves (43.1%)while energy content per 100 g of vegetables was highestin sweet potato leaves (402 kcal) and lowest in cabbage(379 kcal). The mineral content per 100 g of vegetableswere in the range of 33.4–249.8 mg, 241.2–471.2 mg,12.1–75.1 mg, 14.9–98.9 mg, 0.5–3.5 mg and 0.9–3.1 mgfor Ca, K, Na, Mg, Fe and Zn, respectively. For ascorbicacid, riboflavin, thiamin and total carotenoids, concentrations in 100 g of vegetables were in the range of45.1–112.7 mg, 0.2–0.3 mg, 0.3–0.8 mg and 2.0–7.3 mg,respectively. The trypsin inhibitory activity per gram ofthe vegetables was highest in collard (60.1 TIU/g) andlowest in peanut leaves (41.0 TIU/g). Chymotrypsin inhibitoractivity was highest in the peanut (69.6 CIU/g) but lowestin the collard leaves (48.0 CIU/g). Both trypsin and chymotrypsin inhibitor activities were significantly (p<0.05) reduced by most of the treatments in eitherthe conventional or microwave blanching methods. In the conventional blanching method, trypsin inhibitor activitywas reduced by 0.5, 6.8, 11.9, 9.0 and 19.3 percent in cabbage, collard, turnip, sweet potato and peanut leaves,respectively, when the vegetables were blanched for 2.5 minutes but after blanching for 10 minutes, the trypsininhibitor activity was reduced by 29.7, 34.9, 54.3, 52.3and 65.6 percent in cabbage, collard, turnip, sweet potatoand peanut greens, respectively. For the microwave ovenblanching, trypsin inhibitor activity was reduced by 3.8,3.3, 32.7, 5.0 and 9.5 percent in cabbage, collard, turnip,sweet potato and peanut leaves, respectively when thevegetables were blanched for 30 seconds. When blanched for60 seconds, trypsin inhibitor activity was reduced by 16.2,45.8, 46.2, 51.0 and 42.4 percent in cabbage, collard, turnip, sweet potato and peanut greens, respectively.Similar trends in the reduction of chymotrypsin inhibitoractivity were observed when the vegetables were conventionally blanched for 2.5, 5 and 10 minutes andwhen blanched by microwave oven for 30, 45 and 60 seconds.Based on the results of this study, the vegetables weregood dietary sources of minerals, vitamins, carbohydrateand proteins. Also, blanching was an effective method forreducing the trypsin and chymotripsin inhibitor activitiesin the leafy vegetables, however, further investigation onthe heating times for both conventional and microwaveblanching methods is suggested.     

Effect of traditional processing practices on the content of total carotenoid, β-carotene, α-carotene and vitamin A activity of selected Tanzanian vegetables

The α-carotene, β-carotene and total provitamin A carotenoids and the effect of traditional processing practices on the retention of these provitamins were studied using amaranth, cowpea, peanut, pumpkin and sweet potato leaves. Results of this study indicated that the content of total carotenoids, β-carotene and α-carotene were in the range of 26.79–44.74 mg, 4.16–19.12 mg, and 0.99–10.26 mg per 100 g of dry vegetables, respectively. The vitamin A activities were 4.042, 3.124, 0.829, 2.025 and 1.581 mg RE per 100 g of dry amaranth, cowpea, peanut, pumpkin and sweet potato leaves, respectively. The traditional processing practices of sun drying and storage in ventilated containers resulted in a significant (p<0.05) decrease in the concentration of total carotenoids, β-carotene and α-carotene for all the vegetables. Conventional blanching and cooking resulted in a significant (p<0.05) increase in the concentration of carotenoids in the cowpea, peanut and pumpkin leaves while in amaranth and sweet potato greens, thermal processing resulted in a significant (p<0.05) decrese in the concentration of these nutrients.     

The nitrogen response of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) in the field: nitrogen uptake and yield, harvest index and nitrogen concentration

Summary The response of potato to different rates of nitrogen supply ranging from 0–40 g m⁻² N was studied in five field experiments near Wageningen. NL (52⁰ North). In total two late potato cultivars and two sites were used during successive seasons. The results are summarized in a set of regression equations separately for total crop and tubers. The relation between nitrogen taken up (g m⁻²) in the total crop and total dry matter production (g m⁻²) could be described with the exponential equation: 1942–1900 * 0.93^X (r²=0.953, n=62). Nitrogen concentrations in the dry matter increased linearly with nitrogen uptake. Harvest indices for dry matter and nitrogen tended to decline with increase in N uptake. Cultivars differed only in the effect on N on tuber dry matter concentration. The relation between nitrogen uptake and nitrogen supply could be fitted with quadratic regression models. but coefficients were influenced by site and season.     

Change in Colour and Antioxidant Content of Tomato Cultivars Following Forced-Air Drying

Three New Zealand grown tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum L.) cultivars, Aranka, Encore, and Flavourine, were analysed for colour (CIELAB L^∗ a^∗ b^∗ values), ascorbic acid, total phenolics, lycopene, and total antioxidant activity (ABTS assay). Colour analyses of the air-dried tomatoes showed that the colour degradation as measured by the L^∗ a^∗ b^∗ values was minimal, and the colour was not significantly different (p < 0.05) between each of the dried cultivars. In general, there was no significant difference (p < 0.01) between the fresh cultivars in terms of antioxidant components or total antioxidant activity. The average values obtained for antioxidant components in the three fresh cultivars were: ascorbic acid, 276 mg/100 g DM, total phenolics, 613 mg gallic acid equivalents (GAE)/100 g dry matter (DM) and lycopene 38 mg/100 g DM. Total antioxidant activity of the fresh cultivars was 2917 μmole Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC)/100 g DM. Following forced air-drying treatment at 42 ^∘C for 48 hr, all cultivars showed significant decreases in ascorbic acid, total phenolics and total antioxidant activity, and increases in extractable lycopene contents. This study was undertaken to identify cultivars that would provide the best colour and nutrient contents after commercial air drying.     

Critical water content and water stress coefficient of soybean (Glycine max [L.] Merr.) under deficit irrigation

The objective of this research was to investigate the critical water content (θ _c) and water stress coefficient (K _s) of soybean plant under deficit irrigation. This research was conducted in a plastic house at the University of Lampung, Sumatra in Indonesia from June to September 2000. The water deficit levels were 0–20%, 20–40%, 40–60%, 60–80%, and 80–100% of available water (AW) deficit, arranged in Randomized Completely Block (RCB) design with four replications. The results showed that the soybean plant started to experience stress from week IV within 40–60% of AW deficit. The fraction of total available water (TAW) that the crop can extract from the root zone without suffering water stress (p) was 0.5 and θ_c was 0.305 m³ m⁻³. The values of K _s at p=0.5 were 0.78, 0.86, 0.78, and 0.71 from week IV to week VII, respectively. The optimum yield of soybean plant with the highest yield efficiency was reached at 40–60% of AW deficit with an average K _s value of 0.78; this level of deficit irrigation could conserve about 10% of the irrigation. The optimum yield of soybean plant was 7.9 g/pot and crop water requirement was 372 mm.     

Studies on Indian Green Leafy Vegetables for Their Antioxidant Activity

To identify the potential of green leafy vegetables (GLV) as antioxidants, methanolic extracts of Amaranthus sp., Centella asiatica, Murraya koenigii and Trigonella foenum graecum were studied for their antioxidant activity in different systems at multiple concentrations. Total antioxidant activity assessed by phosphomolybdenum method, free radical scavenging activity by 1,1-diphenly-2-picryl hydrazyl (DPPH), reducing power and ferrous ion chelating activity were determined. The GLV were analyzed for ascorbic acid, total and β-carotene and total polyphenol contents. The ascorbic acid, total carotene, β-carotene and total phenolic content (tannic acid equivalents) of the GLV ranged between 15.18–101.36, 34.78–64.51, 4.23–8.84 and 150.0–387.50 mg/100 g GLV, respectively. The extracts were found to have significantly different levels of antioxidant activities in the systems tested. The total antioxidant activity was highest in Murraya koenigii (2,691.78 μmol of ascorbic acid/g sample) and least in Centella asiatica (623.78 μmol of ascorbic acid/g sample). The extract concentration causing 50% inhibition of DPPH (IC₅₀) was determined (M. koenigii < C.asiatica < Amaranthus sp. < T. graecum). The maximum DPPH scavenging activity and reducing power was exhibited by Murraya koenigii. Multiple regression analysis showed that the relationship of total antioxidant activity, free radical scavenging activity, and reducing power with polyphenol and total and β-carotene was highly significant. Paper awarded the Young Scientist Award in Experimental Nutrition at the Young Scientist Award Session of the 39th Annual Meet of the Nutrition Society of India, Hyderabad, India on 15–16th Dec 2007.     

Effect of blanching on the content of antinutritional factors in selected vegetables

The effect of blanching on the antinutritional content was studied in cabbage, turnip, collard, sweetpotato and peanut leaves. All the vegetables contained various amounts of phytic acid, tannic acid and/or oxalic acid. Tannic acid was found in largest amounts ranging from 1266.00 mg/100 g in cabbage to 491.00 mg/100 g in sweetpotato. Phytic acid content ranged from 0.31 mg/100 g in sweetpotato to 3.97 mg/100 g in collard. Oxalic acid was in trace amounts in cabbage and turnip; but high concentrations were found in sweetpotato (469.67 mg/100 g) and peanut greens (407.00 mg/100 g). Levels of both tannic acid and phytic acid were significantly (p<0.05) reduced by conventional and microwave blanching methods while oxalic acid levels were not significantly (p<0.05) reduced in most of the treatments by either of the blanching methods. In general, blanching is recommended as an effective method for reducing the antinutritional factors in green vegetables, however, further investigation on the heating times for both conventional and microwave blanching methods has been suggested.     

Lactic Acid Fermentation of β-Carotene Rich Sweet Potato (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Ipomoea batatas</Emphasis> L.) into Lacto-juice

Lacto-juices processed by lactic acid fermentation bring about a change in the beverage assortment for their high nutritive value, vitamins and minerals which are beneficial to human health when consumed. Sweet potato roots (non-boiled/ fully-boiled) were fermented with Lactobacillus plantarum MTCC 1407 at 28 ± 2°C for 48 h to make lacto- juice. During fermentation both analytical [pH, titratable acidity, lactic acid, starch, total sugar, reducing sugar (g/kg roots), total phenol and β-carotene (mg/kg roots)] and sensory (texture, taste, aroma, flavour and after taste) analyses of sweet potato lacto-juice were evaluated. The fermented juice was subjected to panelist evaluation for acceptability. There were no significant variations in biochemical constituents (pH, 2.2–3.3; lactic acid, 1.19–1.27 g/kg root; titratable acidity, 1.23–1.46 g/kg root, etc.) of lacto-juices prepared from non-boiled and fully-boiled sweet potato roots except β-carotene concentration [130 ± 7.5 mg/kg (fully-boiled roots) and 165 ± 8.1 mg/kg (non-boiled roots)]. The panelist evaluation scores ranged from 3–4.8 (in a hedonic scale of 1–5) from moderate liking to very much liking of sweet potato lacto-juice. Principal component analyses reduced the eight original analytical variables to three independent components (factors), which accounted for 99.9% of the total variations. Similarly, five original sensory variables were reduced to two independent components, which accounted for 83.1% of the total variations.     

Assessment of management of direct seeded rice production under different water conditions in Cambodia

In order to assess direct seeding of rice technology to cope with future agricultural labor shortage in Cambodia, agronomic experiments were conducted in 2005 and 2006 to compare direct seeding with transplanting under three water conditions (non-flooded, shallow flooded, and deep flooded conditions) with/without weed control by herbicides (bentazone and cyhalofop-butyl) for two Cambodian rice varieties (shorter stature and early maturity Sen Pidao, taller stature and longer maturity Phka Rumduol). Average rice yield in 2 years was lower in direct seeding (341 g m⁻²) than transplanting (404 g m⁻²), but interaction components with year, varieties, water conditions, and weed management were significant, and the attained maximum yield of direct seeding (510 and 464 g m⁻² for Phka Rumduol variety in shallow flooded condition with weeding in 2005 and 2006, respectively) was similar to that of transplanting. Plant length and dry weight of rice were reduced in non-flooded and deep flooded conditions compared with shallow flooded condition, and grain yield was the highest in shallow flooded condition. Yield advantage of Phka Rumduol over Sen Pidao increased under direct seeding, particularly under non-flooded conditions in 2005 because weed infestation was more suppressed in Phka Rumduol even without weeding. Increase in 100 g m⁻² of weed infestation prior to heading (dry weight basis) reduced about 20% of attainable yield with weed control. This study identified importance of stature and growth duration of rice varieties and presence of standing water as well as the weed control, in order to develop and extend direct seeding in the Cambodia.     

Amino Acid, Mineral and Fatty Acid Content of Pumpkin Seeds (Cucurbita spp) and Cyperus esculentus Nuts in the Republic of Niger

Dried seeds and nuts are widely consumed by indigenous populations of the western Sahel, especially those who inhabit rural areas. In light of the need for quantitative information regarding the content of particular nutrients in these plant foods, we collected dried pumpkin (Cucurbita spp) seeds and nuts of Cyperus esculentus in the Republic of Niger and analyzed them for their content of essential amino acids, minerals and trace elements, and fatty acids.On a dry weight basis, pumpkin seed contained 58.8% protein and 29.8% fat. However, the lysine score of the protein was only 65% relative to the FAO/WHO protein standard. The pumpkin seed contained useful amounts of linoleic (92 μg/g dry weight) and the following elements (on a μg per g dry weight basis): potassium (5,790), magnesium (5,690), manganese (49.3), zinc (113), selenium (1.29), copper (15.4), chromium (2.84), and molybdenum (0.81), but low amounts of calcium and iron. Except for potassium (5,573 μg/g dry weight) and chromium (2.88 μg/g dry weight), the C. esculentis nuts contained much less of these same nutrients compared to pumpkin seeds.In conclusion, pumpkin seeds represent a useful source of many nutrients essential to humans. The data in this report should of practical value to public health officials in rural areas of sub-Saharan Africa.     

Phenolics and Antioxidative Activities in Narrow-Leafed Lupins (Lupinus angustifolius L.)

Eight lupin (Lupinus angustifolius L.) genotypes grown at four locations in south central Alberta in 2004 were evaluated for variability in phenolic constituents and antioxidant activity measured by a photochemiluminescence assay. Genotype was the main source of variation for content of phenolic compounds and antioxidant activities. Phenolic compounds in genotypes varied minimally from 11.9 to 14.7 mg catechin equivalent and 4.15 to 4.95 mg rutin equivalent g⁻¹ lupin for total phenolic and flavonoid contents, respectively. Lupin genotypes exhibited weak antioxidant activity based on water–soluble substances (ACW) of 0.54 to 1.07 μmole Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacities (TEAC)/g with lag time ranging from 70 to 153 s and an antioxidant index of 6.7 to 14.5 and 1.9 to 3.3 μmole TEAC/g based on measurements of lipid-soluble substances (ACL). Antioxidant activity of lupin genotypes was not related to phenolic contents of seeds.     

Moisture migration in a cereal composite food at high water activity: Effects of initial porosity and fat content

Water sorption isotherms and effective moisture diffusivities were determined at 20 °C for sponge cakes at high water activity as a function of their initial porosity, in the range 86 and 52% (0 g/g dry basis fat content), and of their fat content, ranging between 0 and 0.30 g/g dry basis (67% initial porosity). The equilibrium moisture values were not affected by food structure and decreased with increasing fat content. The effective moisture diffusivity decreased from 7.5 to 0.3×10⁻¹⁰ m²/s with increasing moisture content from 0.30 to 2.20 g/g dry basis. Decreasing initial porosity from 86 to 52% decreased effective moisture diffusivity by more than four orders of magnitude. This behaviour was related to differences of water transfer mechanisms, with the contribution from liquid water diffusion in the solid matrix and from vapour water diffusion in pores. Increasing fat content of 0.30 g/g dry basis in sponge cake, independently of porosity, decreased effective moisture diffusivity by more than five orders of magnitude. A predictive mathematical model was used to simulate moisture intake in two-composite food systems: sponge cakes with varying initial porosities and fat contents and an agar gel as a model of a non-rate limiting water source. Increasing the density of the structure or addition of fat in the cereal-based phase could increase shelf life of composite foods.     

The effect of seed-and soilborne inoculum ofColletotrichum coccodes on the incidence of black dot on potatoes

Summary Soil in a potato field naturally infested with black dot (Colletotrichum coccodes) was fumigated with methyl bromide at 126 g m⁻² or left unfumigated. Potato seed tubers (cv. BP1) uninfected, lightly infected (1–25% surface affected), severely infected (26–100% surface affected) and severely infected withC. coccodes but dusted with prochloraz manganese chloride as Octave 2.5% DP at 750 g per 100 kg seed were planted in fumigated and unfumigated soil. When harvested, the incidence of black dot on the progeny of infected seed planted in unfumigated soil was twice that of progeny in fumigated soil, with progeny of uninfected seed having a 68.5 times higher disease incidence in unfumigated soil. Black dot on progeny tubers was reduced by pre-treatment of seed with prochloraz in fumigated soil only. With black dot infested fields, planting disease-free seed or treating seed with fungicides would not decrease disease on progeny tubers.     

Antioxidant Capacity and Antimutagenic Activity of Natural Oleoresin from Greenhouse Grown Tomatoes (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Lycopersicon esculentum</Emphasis>)

Natural oleoresins rich in lycopene were obtained from two varieties of tomato (Zedona and Gironda) and their nutraceutical potential (antioxidant and antimutagenic capacity) was evaluated. Both oleoresins had a high content of lycopene, 58.33 ± 1.67 mg/g (Zedona) and 63.97 ± 0.80 mg/g (Gironda). The antioxidant activity (AA) of the oleoresins by β-carotene method were 56.4–74.5% (Zedona) and 51–72.8% (Gironda), while when using the free radical stable 2,2-diphenyl-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) method, the antiradical activity (ARA) was determined to be 18.2–32.7% (Zedona) and 16.6–26.7% (Gironda) for the concentrations tested that of 200–400 μM equivalents of lycopene. The antimutagenic activity of the oleoresins was tested against aflatoxin B₁ (AFB₁) using the microsuspension assay, both varieties had a very high antimutagenic potential against AFB₁ (60–66%).These results suggest the NCRT can be taken advantage to obtaining rich oleoresin in lycopene with a nutraceutical value.     

Combination of On-Line Solid-Phase Extraction with LC-MS for the Determination of Potentially Hazardous Glycoalkaloids in Potato Products

A simple and rapid method for the determination of naturally occurring, potentially hazardous glycoalkaloids (GAs) in potatoes and their products has been developed. The procedure is based on the on-line solid-phase extraction of the acetic acid extracts from potato products and combined with liquid chromatography (LC)-mass spectrometry (MS) in a fully automated system (Symbiosis™, Spark Holland Instruments, Emmen, The Netherlands). As sorbent material HySphere™ 18HD was used for alkaloid enrichment. GAs were eluted with the LC gradient and directly analysed by MS. Detection of the analytes was achieved in the sensitive multiple reaction monitoring mode using two characteristic ions (m/z 98 as a qualifier for GAs and m/z 868.3 as a quantifier for α-solanine or m/z 852.4 for α-chaconine). Typical validation data for method precision (v _k α-solanine = 5.3–6.5, v _k α-chaconine = 3.4–15.4), accuracy (average recovery of α-solanine = 84%, average recovery of α-chaconine = 87%) and linearity over the range from 1 to 1,000 ng ml⁻¹ (R ² = 0.9915 for α-solanine, R ² = 0.9939 for α-chaconine) with detection limits of 0.3 ng ml⁻¹ for α-chaconine and 0.5 ng ml⁻¹ for α-solanine were obtained. GA contents of commercial potato products were determined by the new on-line method and afterwards compared with those obtained with an established high-performance LC routine procedure. Better performance of the on-line procedure was obvious from the standard deviations of both methods. Other advantages included a strong reduction of overall analysis time, human intervention and solvent consumption as well as waste production. The time required for the on-line analysis was 5 min, which would allow processing of almost 100 samples in 8 h.     

Synthesis of thermotropic polyurethanes containing imide units and their mesophase behavior

Thermotropic polyurethanes were synthesized from 1,6-hexane diisocyanate (HDI) as a diisocyanate, 1,6-hexane diol (HD), and rigid diols containing imide unit such as N,N′-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)-3,4,3′,4′-biphenyl-dicarboxyimide (BPDI) or bis-N-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-4,4′-oxydiphthalimide (ODPI). The effects of structure difference between BPDI and ODPI and composition of HD/BPDI (ODPI) on the thermal and liquid crystalline behavior were studied. Thermotropic polyurethanes with an inherent viscosity of 0.59–0.70 were obtained. The melting temperature of BPDI-based polyurethanes were in the range of 150–290°C, however, those of ODPI-based polyurethanes were in the range of 150–190°C. All the polyurethanes based on ODPI (25–100 mole %) clearly exhibited a stable liquid crystalline phase, and BPDI-based polyurethane having 5–25% of BPDI showed a mesophase. The melting and isotropization temperatures (T _m , T _i ) andΔT(T _i −T _m ) increased with increasing BPDI and ODPI content. The polyurethanes based on BPDI has higher melting points and thermal stability compared to ODPI-based polyurethanes.     

Surface and subsurface losses of N and P from salt-affected rice paddy fields of Saemangeum reclaimed land in South Korea

The present study was carried out to evaluate nutrient losses that occur during the course of agricultural activity from rice paddy fields of reclaimed tidal flat. For this study, we chose a salt-affected rice paddy field located in the Saemangeum reclaimed tidal area, which is located on the western South Korean coasts. The plot size was 1,000 m² (40 m × 25 m) with three replicates. The soil belonged to the Gwanghwal series, i.e., it was of the coarse silty, mixed, mesic type of Typic Haplaquents (saline alluvial soil). The input quantities of nitrogen and phosphorus (as chemical fertilizer) into the experimental rice paddy field were 200 kg N ha⁻¹ and 51 kg P₂O₅ ha⁻¹ per annum, and the respective input quantities of each due to precipitation were 9.3–12.9 kg N ha⁻¹ and 0.4–0.7 kg P ha⁻¹ per annum. In terms of irrigation water, these input quantities were 4.5–8.2 kg N ha⁻¹ and 0.3–0.9 kg P ha⁻¹ per annum, respectively. Losses of these nutrients due to surface runoff were 22.5–38.1 kg N ha⁻¹ and 0.7–2.2 kg P ha⁻¹ for the year 2003, and 26.8–29.6 kg N ha⁻¹ and 1.6–1.9 kg P ha⁻¹ for the year 2004, respectively. Losses of these nutrients due to subsurface infiltration during the irrigation period were 0.44–0.67 kg N ha⁻¹ and 0.03–0.04 kg P ha⁻¹ for the year 2003, and 0.15–0.16 kg N ha⁻¹ and 0.05–0.06 kg P ha⁻¹ for 2004. When losses of nitrogen and phosphorus were compared to the amount of nutrients supplied by chemical fertilizers, it was found that 11.3–19.1% of nitrogen and 0.5–1.7% of phosphorus were lost via surface runoff, whereas subsurface losses accounted to 0.2–0.8% for nitrogen and only 0.02–0.04% for phosphorus during the 2-year study period.     

Assessment of Potato Dry Matter Concentration Using Short-Wave Near-Infrared Spectroscopy

The utility of short-wavelength near-infrared spectroscopy (over the wavelength region 750–950 nm), used in a partial transmittance optical geometry, was assessed as a means of estimating the dry matter concentration of potato tubers. The sampling optics did not involve contact with the sample, and could be used on a moving stream of product. A prediction accuracy of R ² (correlation coefficient of determination) of 0.85 with a root mean square error of prediction (RMSEP) of 1.52% for intact, whole tubers and R ² = 0.95 and RMSEP = 0.50% for sliced tubers was achieved. We conclude that short-wavelength near-infrared technology using a partial transmittance optical sampling geometry can be a useful tool for rapid assessment of tuber dry matter concentration prior to processing.     

Comparative topsoil characterization of sawah rice fields in selected inland valleys around Bida, north-central Nigeria: textural, structural and hydrophysical properties

Although the West African inland valleys are characteristically wet all-year-round, their hydrological conditions are known to be site-specific and may differ markedly between the rainy and the dry seasons. Information on their physical properties would be useful for proper water management under the sawah rice culture and for planning dry season cropping. Representative inland valleys at four locations (Gadza, Nasarafu, Shaba-Maliki and Ejeti) around Bida in the Guinea savanna zone of Nigeria were selected for the study. Apart from Ejeti where the soil is clay loam, the predominant texture is sandy loam. The total and classified water-stable aggregates (WSA) were lowest at Ejeti, followed by Nasarafu. On the average, over 82% of the WSA were below 1.0 mm. Variations among the locations progressively decreased from the largest to the smallest aggregate-size class. Aggregate stability, as evaluated by both sand-corrected WSA and the mean weight diameter (MWD), followed similar trend as the WSA. Values were generally low for soil organic matter (SOM) (0.8–2.2%), but moderate for bulk density (0.98–1.55 Mg m⁻³) and total porosity (40.6–62.6%). Overall, Ejeti maintained the most favourable values of these three parameters, followed by Shaba-Maliki, Nasarafu and Gadza in the order listed. Micropores constituted over 87% of the soils’ pore system. Saturated hydraulic conductivities were, however, highly variable; indicating lowest rates at Ejeti. Clay fraction correlated positively with the unstable (<0.25 mm) aggregates and porosity parameters, but negatively with other structural indices. The SOM correlated negatively and positively with MWD and total porosity, respectively. Soil–water management implications of these results are discussed.