Modeling of the Physio-thermal storability properties of TME419 cassava stem cuttings under prevalent room temperature

Abstract

Exposures of cassava stem cuttings to prevalent atmospheric dehumidification process, as well as, the relationship in variation of the stem physical properties and related physiothermal studies at room temperature were investigated. Vital information on cassava stem parameters that could serve as a basis of developing devices for timely handling of stems on field during planting was obtained. 50 samples of TME 41 9 variety cassava stem cuttings were prepared in lengths of 5, 1 0, 1 5, 20, 25 and 30 cm. were used for the study. Samples were allowed to dry naturally for a period of between 0 and 672 hours (28 days) under natural room condition in order to obtain the intrinsic fall rate of the drying process. The relative humidity and weight losses were monitored over time intervals of T24H, T1 20H, T1 68H, T264H and T672H. Trends of proportionality between parameters was obtained from the data analyzed to a model for the weight loss in terms of Length, Time, Diameter The obtained weight loss model had a coefficient of determination of 0.981 with all parameters except height of node having a positive correlation with weight obtained after exposure. There is a gradual reduction in the weights of cassava stem cuttings as the moisture content is lost to the ambient temperature at removal rate of 0.9g./sec. An initial negative correlation was observed for stem cuttings drying at T24H to T1 20H, showed that the
period was the duration of time the stem remained viable for planting. Any time beyond this period of drying might not be a feasible for stem germination. This information is vital on the field while planning the best time allotted time available to harvest and process cassava stem cuttings for perennial propagation.