Nigeria Root Vegetables: Production, Utilization, Breeding, Biotechnology and Constraints

Abstract

This chapter describes the various facets, from agronomy to marketing, of Nigerian root vegetables including garlic, onion, turmeric, ginger and carrot being the world’s most significant and vital root vegetables which have high culinary and medicinal value. The chapter commences with their origin and history, universal spread, production figures, areas under cultivation and goes on to explain the botany, diversity, conservation, production practices, pests and diseases management, utilization, post-harvest technology and their uses as nutraceuticals. This chapter also presents the socio-economic, market analyses, export potential of these crops in Nigeria. It would be an important reference material for researchers, agricultural and food science students at both undergraduate and postgraduate level and policy makers; and be of great interest to experts and industries involved in root vegetables and spices trade. The in-depth information and knowledge about the genetic conservation, socio-economics, production, pests and diseases management and post-harvest technology of root vegetables in Nigeria provided in this chapter would greatly help in efforts towards improving their production and utilization for enhanced nutrition and healthy living.

Response of Carrots (Daucus carota) on the Growth, Yield, and Nutritional Composition to Varying Poultry Manure Rates

“…Hence, production of carrots in a diverse variety of soils and environmental conditions is needed to increase carrot production in the country [56]. Although the carrot crop has a lot of potential and has been widely planted in Nigeria for a long time, taking up roughly 27,000 ha of available land, primarily in the North, its yield per hectare is still very poor [39]. The average yield of carrots in Nigeria is low with 15 t ha -1 compared to the USA with an amount of 170 t ha -1 [25].…”

Enumeration of Most Common Microbes Responsible for Tomatoes Spoilage

“…China is the largest producer followed by United States and Turkey [3]. The fruit is one of the most important vegetable in most regions of the world and constitute an important source of food as well as cash in Nigeria [4,5]. The fruit contributes to a healthy, well balanced diet.…”

“…Despite the fact that some tomato fruits referred to as iron tomatoes that can stay for a maximum of 10 days if kept in a favorable environment [7], unfortunately, large percentage of tomato fruits produced in Nigeria are being lost to post-harvest deteriorations caused by microorganisms [4]. Among the microbes infecting tomato fruits, fungal plant pathogen can cause extensive loss of the fruits [8].…”