Effects of Farming Conditions on the Nutritional Contents of Manihot esculenta Planted in four Regions of Niger Delta, Nigeria

Abstract

All through human existence, the ability to cultivate crops to better human life has been affected by the nature of the soil; different crops strive in different regions. The relationship between humans, the earth and food production affirms soil as the foundation of crop production. Hence, the objective of this paper as to the effects of farming conditions on the nutritional contents of Manihot esculenta planted in four regions of Niger Delta, Nigeria. Using appropriate standard methods. Data obtained revealed that the moisture contents varied in the order; herbicide > oil-spilled > inorganic fertilizer > normal. The amount of water-soluble vitamins varied in the order; normal > oil spilled > inorganic fertilizer > herbicide. The amount of crude lipids varied in the order; herbicide > normal > inorganic fertilizer > oil-spilled. The amount of hydrogen cyanide varied in the order; inorganic fertilizer > herbicide > oil-spilled > normal. The amount of carbohydrate varied in the order; inorganic fertilizer > oil-spilled > normal > herbicide. The amount of crude protein and fiber varied in the order; herbicide > normal > inorganic fertilizer > oil-spilled. Root tubers from the normal practice was most abundant in ash contents, while that from the use of herbicide was the least. These results indicated that the normal practice showed commended amount of moisture content, water soluble vitamins and ash content; the herbicide induced land produced cassava tuber with the highest amount of crude lipids, crude fibre and crude proteins; that with the use of inorganic fertilizer produced the highest amount of hydrogen cyanide. All practices were adoptive for carbohydrate formation, except the herbicide induced soil.