Effects of Harvest Time on Quality of Stored Maize (Zea mays L.) in the Southern Part of Ghana

Sharon Gyekyewaa Asare; Sandra Abankwa-Kwarteng; Bismark Sekyere Owusu; Philip  Kweku Baidoo

doi:10.21704/pja.v7i2.2003

Authors

Sharon Gyekyewaa Asare Dept. of Theoretical and Applied Biology, Faculty of Biosciences, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, PMB, University Post Office, Kumasi, Ghana.
Sandra Abankwa -Kwarteng Dept. of Theoretical and Applied Biology, Faculty of Biosciences, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, PMB, University Post Office, Kumasi, Ghana.
Bismark Sekyere Owusu Dept. of Horticulture, Faculty of Agriculture, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, PMB, University Post Office, Kumasi, Ghana.
Philip Kweku Baidoo Dept. of Theoretical and Applied Biology, Faculty of Biosciences, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, PMB, University Post Office, Kumasi, Ghana.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.21704/pja.v7i2.2003

Keywords:

aflatoxins, harvest time, maize, nutrient composition

Abstract

In Ghana, most smallholder maize farmers delay harvesting of their crops in an attempt to achieve optimum moisture content levels necessary for safe storage. Late harvesting may cause a hike in insect attacks and fungal contaminations, leading to alterations in nutrient composition of grains. This study examined the effects of harvest time and storage form on quality of maize. Maize was grown and harvested from 36 plots, with each plot measuring 3m x 3m. Planting of maize was done during the major and minor seasons (April – August, 2020 and September – December, 2020) respectively. Moisture content of maize before storage was determined as 12.50 % to 12.85 % (major season) and 11.90 % to 12.48% (minor season). Harvesting was done at three stages (E = Early harvest, M = Mid harvest and L = Late harvest) and maize was stored for 90 days in three different ways (D = Dehusked, H = Husked and S = Shelled). Data was subjected to Analysis of variance (ANOVA) using Sisvar version 5.6. Mid harvest dehusked maize had the highest final starch content (69.28 %) while Early harvest husked maize had the highest protein content (7.22 %). Ash content of maize from the various treatments ranged from 3.50% to 5.39 % (initial) and 3.03 % to 4.13 % (final), the difference was significant (p<0.05). Late harvest husked maize (LHH) recorded 35 % more initial ash as compared to EHS. Aflatoxin level was highest on Late harvest dehusked maize (60.70 ppb). Nutrient and aflatoxin levels of maize were significantly affected by harvest time. Encouraging farmers to adopt a better approach to harvesting, drying and storage of maize can reduce crop losses and ensure food security.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Adak, M. S., Kayan, N., Gunes, A., Inal, A., Alpaslan, M., Cicek, N. & Guzelordu, T. (2007). Effect of Harvest Timing on Yield and Mineral Nutritional Value of Kabuli Type Chickpea Seeds. Journal of Plant Nutrition, 30(9), 1397–1407. https://doi. org/10.1080/01904160701555820

Adu, G. B., Abdulai, M. S., Alidu, H., Nustugah, S. K., Buah, S. S., Kombi, J. M., Obeng – Antwi, K., Abudulai, M. & Etwire, P. M. (2014). Recommended production practices for maize in Ghana. Growing Agrica’s Agriculture.

Awata, L. A. O., Tongoona, P., Danquah, E., Ifie, B. E., Suresh, L.M., Jumbo, M. B., Marchelo –D’ragga, P. W. & Sitonik, C. (2019). Understanding Tropical Maize (Zea mays L.): The Major Monocot in Modernization and Sustainability of Agriculture in sub- Saharan Africa. International Journal of Advanced Agricultural Research, 7 (2019), 32–77. https://doi.org/10.33500/ ijaar.2019.07.004

Benkerroum, N. (2020). Chronic and Acute Toxicities of Aflatoxins: Mechanisms of Action. International Journal of environmental research and public health, 17(2), 423. https://doi.org/10.3390/ ijerph17020423

Chegere, M. J. (2018) Post – harvest losses reduction by small – scale maize farmers: the role of handling practices. Food policy, 77 (2018), 103–115. https://doi. org/10.1016/j.foodpol.2018.05.001

International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (2013, Junary 14). CIMMYT mourns the passing of Twumasi-Afriyie, creator of the quality protein maize Obatanpa. https:// www.cimmyt.org/news/cimmyt-mourns-the-passing-of-twumasi-afriyie-creator-of-the-quality-protein-maize-obatanpa/

Danso, J. K., Osekre, E. A., Manu, N., Opit, G. P., Armstrong, P., Arthur, F. H., Campbell, J. F. & Mbata, G. (2017). Moisture content, insect pests and mycotoxin levels of maize at harvest and post-harvest in the Middle Belt of Ghana. Journal of Stored Product Research, 74, 46–55. https://doi. org/10.1016/j.jspr.2017.08.007

Darfour, B. & Rosentrater, A. K. (2022). Pre – harvest and post – harvest farmer experiences and practices in five maize growing regions in Ghana. Frontiers in Nutrition, 9, 725815. https://doi. org/10.3389/fnut.2022.725815

Enyiukwu, D. N., Awurum, A. N. & Nwaneri, J. A. (2014). Mycotoxins in stored agricultural products: implications to food safety and health and prospects of plant derived pesticides as novel approach to their management. Greener Journal of Microbiology and Antimicrobials, 2(3), 032–048.

Ferreira, D. (2008). SISVAR: a program for statistical analysis and teaching. Rev. Symp. 6, 36–41.

Ghana Standard Authority (2013). Cereals & Pulses- Specification for Maize (Corn). GS, 211, 2013.

Kaaya, A., Warren, L. H., Kyamanywa, S. & Kyamuhangire, W. (2005). The effect of delayed harvest on moisture content, insect damage, molds and aflatoxin contamination of maize in Mayuge district of Uganda. Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture, 85(15), 2595–2599. https://doi.org/10.1002/jsfa.2313

Kumar, D. & Kalita, P. 2017. Reducing Postharvest Losses During Storage of Grain Crops to Strengthen Food Security in Developing Countries. Foods, 6(1), 8. https://doi.org/10.3390/foods6010008

Manu, N., Osekre, E. A., Opit, G. P., Campbell, J., Arthur, F. H., Mbata, G., Armstrong, P. R., & Danso, J. K. (2018). Population dynamics of stored maize insect pests in warehouses in two districts in Ghana. Journal of Stored Product Research, 76, 102–110. https://doi.org/10.1016/j. jspr.2018.01.001

Massomo, S. M. S. (2020). Aspergillus Flavus And Aflatoxin Contamination in the Maize Value Chain and What Needs To Be Done in Tanzania. Scientific African, 10. https:// doi.org/10.1016/j.sciaf.2020.e00606

Mutungi, C., Muthoni, F., Bekunda, M., Gaspar, A., Kabula, E., & Abass, A. (2019). Physical quality of maize grain harvested and stored by smallholder farmers in the Northern highlands of Tanzania: Effects of harvesting and pre-storage handling practices in two marginally contrasting agro-locations. Journal of Stored Products Research, 84, 101–517. https://doi. org/10.1016/j.jspr.2019.101517

Opoku, B., Opit, G., Osekre, E. A., Bosomtwe, A., & Bingham, G. V. (2023). Evaluation Of Hermetic Storage Bags For The Preservation Of Yellow Maize In Poultry Farms In Dormaa Ahenkro, Ghana. Insects, 14(2), 141. https://doi.org/10.3390/ insects14020141

Pickova, D., Ostry, V., Toman, J. & Malir, F. (2021). Aflatoxins: History, Significant Milestones, Recent Data on their Toxicity and Way to Mitigation. Toxins, 13(6), 399 https://doi.org/10.3390/toxins13060399

Poku, A-G., Birner, R., & Gupta, S. (2018). Why do maize farmers in Ghana have a limited choice of improved seed varieties? An assessment of the governance challenges in seed supply. Food Security, 10(1), 27–46.

Revilla, P., Alves, M. L., Andelkovic, V., Balconi, C., Dinis, I., Mendes-Moreira, P., Redaelli, R., Ruiz de Galarretta, J. I., Patto, M. C. V., ZILIC, S. and Malvar, R. A. 2022. Traditional Foods from Maize in Europe. Front. Nutr. Vol. 8 – 2021. https://doi. org/10.3389/fnut.2021.683399

Tongjura, J. D. C., Amuga, G. A., and Mafuyai, H. B. 2010. Laboratory assessment of the susceptibility of some varieties of Zea mays infested with Sitophilus zeamais, Motsch. (Coleoptera, Curculionidae) in Jos, plateau state, Nigeria. Science World Journal, 5(2), 55–57.