NIRS Database on intact fresh cassava using portable device for DM at NRCRI, Nigeria

Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) is a major root crop in the tropics and its starchy roots are significant sources of calories for more than 500 million people worldwide especially Nigeria. Cassava breeders aim to produce many clones rapidly with desired agronomic traits. Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) is a physical detection method that was developed in recent decades. This technique is based on the correlation between chemical properties and the absorption of light at specific wavelengths in the near-infrared region. A rapid and accurate method for determining dry matter (DM) content of cassava root will be valuable and help the breeders in selecting clones with good traits. This database contains the spectra of fresh intact cassava roots harvested at NRCRI Umudike Nigeria (between August and September 2020) with the use of Portable/handheld NIRS (Quality SpecTrek). A total number of 1764 spectra were acquired from 98 (ninety-eight) clones of fresh intact cassava roots. Three different sizes of cassava roots (big, medium and small sized) were cut in horizontal positions C1 (proximal), C3 (central), and C5 (distal). Calibration model developed for dry matter content (DM) showed the mean and standard deviation to be 39.44 and 4.73 respectively with the standard error of laboratory at 0.76. An SOP on the protocol for the determination of DM on fresh intact cassava root using a handheld NIRS has been linked to this database. The ASD hand-held NIRS was acquired by NRCRI (National Root Crops Research Institute) Umudike Nigeria in the year 2016.