ARS | Publication request: Physiological changes during the early days of storage

Submitted to: Proceedings Wisconsin Annual Potato Meetings
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: February 5, 2008
Publication Date: February 5, 2008
Citation: Bethke, P.C. 2008. Physiological changes during the early days of storage. Proceedings Wisconsin Annual Potato Meetings. 21:77-79.

Technical Abstract: Potato production can be described as interplay between two interdependent, yearly cycles. One is the production cycle that includes planting, nutrient, disease and pest management, harvest, and post-harvest storage of the tubers. The production cycle revolves around what growers do to raise a quality crop and to maintain quality in storage. The second cycle is the tuber life cycle, and this cycle includes sprouting, initiation of new tubers, bulking, maturation, and a period of dormancy. This cycle describes the invariant biology of potato tubers. The interplay between these two cycles determines, to a large extent, the yield and quality of each year’s crop. One time period where this interplay is most important for tubers that will be stored begins at harvest and extends for several weeks, until the tubers have been cooled to their long-term storage temperature. Physiological changes that are inherent to the tuber life cycle, including skin set, wound healing and respiration, influence, and are influenced by, the activities taking place in the production cycle