EFFECT OF OF ORGANIC FERTILIZERS ON NUTRITIONAL AND PROCESSING QUALITY OF POTATOES (Solanum tuberosum L.)

Abstract

The aim of this study was to  determine the effect of different organic fertilizers on the nutritional and processing quality of potatoes. Composting of different materials was done using  12 forumulations and it lasted 6 months.  These compost were used to grow potatoes, Kinigi variety, at the rate of 10 tonnes per hectare and control was used as well. Parameters analysed were moisture content, crude protein, crude ash, crude fibers, reducing sugars and total sugars uing standard methods. There was a significant different in parameters analysed of different treatment at P < 0.05.   Mositure content ranged from 73.05 to 80.44%, proteain from  1.22 to 3.64%,  ash from 0.17 to 2.12%, fiber from 3.04 to 4.08%. Analysis of sugars showed that reducing sugars ranged from 1.29 to 2.28% and total sugars from 2.22 to 2.94%. These potatoes are suitable for boiled and mashed products. However, due to high sugar content, they are not suitable for dehydrated and fried products. Controlling maturity and handling should be emphasized in order to reduce the amount of reducing sugars.