Evaluating the Impact of Various Storage Techniques on Longevity of Frafra Potato (Solenostemon rotundifolius) in the Upper East Region of Ghana

Abstract

The Frafra potato (Solenostemon rotundifolius) has a limited shelf life, making it an underappreciated crop that plays a vital role in food security in northern Ghana. The results showed a significant difference across the types and storage techniques. Moisture loss was greater in the WAAP variety (78.78%) than in the Local variety (75.30%). Of all the storage techniques, grass storage had the least moisture loss (76.02%), while control had the greatest (78.64%). Pot storage completely inhibited sprouting, but pit storage produced the highest rate of sprouting (12.69%). The temperature in the grass storage was 32.44°C, while the temperature in the pot storage was 29.74°C. The study came to the conclusion that Frafra potato shelf life can be successfully extended up to 90 days with acceptable losses using standard storage methods, especially pot.