Abstract
Postharvest behavior of cassava cultivars Forastera, Llanera and Serrallés (white type) and Tremesiana (yellow type) was evaluated by pruning the plants and harvesting at different weekly intervals. Stored cassava roots kept in polyethylene bags after harvest were evaluated and compared with those stored without polyethylene bags. Cassava roots of the white type presented minimum or no deterioration up to 15 days when pruned and harvested the same day and stored in polyethylene bags. Cassava roots not stored in polyethylene bags deteriorated 3 days after harvest. Tremesiana cultivar deteriorated in 3 days whether stored in polyethylene bags or without them. Cassava roots harvested 1 to 2 weeks after pruning and stored without polyethylene bags deteriorated less than the ones pruned and harvested the same day. Roots stored in polyethylene bags deteriorated more than the ones pruned and harvested the same day. The roots harvested 3 weeks after pruning and stored in polyethylene bags or without them deteriorated the same as or less than those pruned and harvested the same day. Cassava roots of cultivars Forastera and Serrallés pruned and harvested the same day and stored in polyethylene bags were acceptable after 6 or 12 days in storage. The roots of cassava harvested 1 or 2 weeks after pruning and stored in polyethylene bags or without them showed great deterioration; thus no sensorial test was performed. Cassava roots harvested 3 weeks after pruning and stored in polyethylene bags or without bags were acceptable in a sensorial test after 6 and 12 days in storage.