## 3 Results and Discussion
### Effect of Maturity on the Macroelement and Microelement Contents of Yellow-Fleshed Cassava Roots
The results showed that the distribution of microelements in the cassava root is mineral dependent. It was also observed that the microelement concentrations were lower in the distal part than the proximal or middle section. This could be due to the dilution effect because it has been established that the water distribution of cassava increases from the proximal to the distal part. However, we could conclude that the best part to sample microelements in cassava roots from is the proximal or middle part. The two sampling methods were compared by averaging the values of each of the microelements from the proximal, middle, and distal parts (method 1) and comparing them with the values of the microelements from the longitudinal section of the cassava roots (method 2). For both trial 1 and 2, there was a significant (\(p<0.05\)) difference in the mean values of all the microelements except the B, Mo, Co, and Al content of trial set 1. Additionally, there was a significant difference (\(p<0.05\)) in the mean values for all the microelements except for Fe, B, Mo, Co, and Al in the trial set 2. This showsthat the concentration of microelements in a method that is sampling dependent. It was observed that the mean value of all microelements from method 1 was significantly (\(p<0.05\)) higher than the mean values from method 2 for both trial set 1 and 2. The levels of Mn, Cu, Ni, and Zn were found to be significantly higher in the proximal portions of the samples in method ABC (method 1) than method L (method 2). However, the study showed that Fe had far higher levels in method L (method 2) than method ABC (method 1) in the trial set 1. Further, the results of the study revealed that the B, Mo, Co, and Al contents did not show any significant difference (\(p>0.05\)) between the two sampling methods. For trial set 2, the contents of Mn, Cu, Ni, and Zn were found to be significantly higher in the proximal portions of the samples investigated in method ABC (method 1) than in method L (method 2). However, the study revealed that the levels of Fe, B, Mo, Co, and Al did not show any significant difference in the two sampling methods. As a result, any of the two methods could be used for the extraction of these microelements. It can also be recommended that using sampling method ABC (method 1) for extraction of Mn, Cu, Ni, and Zn contents in cassava roots is better than using method L (method 2). Pearson Correlation Coefficients of Macro- and Micornineral Contents of Yellow-Fleshed Cassava Roots  
The Pearson correlation coefficients of the macromineral content in yellow root cassava samples investigated are presented in Table 8. From the dataset of trial 1, there was a significant positive (\(p<0.001\)) correlation between the K and P content (r = 0.513). This correlation shows the possibility of breeding yellow root cassava varieties with high K and P mineral contents. However, the results showed that there was a significant negative (\(p<0.05\)) correlation between the Na and K content (r = \(-0.271\)). Further, a significant (\(p<0.05\)) but weak correlation was observed between the P and Mg content (r = \(-0.062\)), P and Na content (r = \(-0.073\)), and S and Na content (r = \(-0.67\)). From the dataset of trial 2, the results showed a significant positive (\(p<0.001\)) correlation between the Ca and Mg content (r = 0.605), Ca and K content (r = 0.502), Mg and K content (r = 0.606), and K and P content (r = 0.636). However, the study showed a significant negative (\(p<0.05\)) correlation between the K and Na content (r = \(-0.126\)), and a significant (\(p<0.05\)) but weak correlation between P and Na (r = \(-0.052\)). The Pearson correlation coefficients of the micromineral contents in the yellow root cassava samples investigated are presented in Table 9. From the data set 1 trial, there was a significant positive (\(p<0.001\)) correlation between the Mn and B contents (r = 0.539). This correlation shows the possibility of breeding yellow root cassava varieties with high Mn and B mineral contents. However, the results