Skip to main content
ARS Home » Midwest Area » Madison, Wisconsin » Vegetable Crops Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #236211

Title: The Effect of Vine Kill and Harvest Date on Tuber Respiration Rates and Tuber Sugars

Author
item Bethke, Paul

Submitted to: Proceedings Wisconsin Annual Potato Meetings
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/26/2009
Publication Date: 2/3/2009
Citation: Bethke, P.C. 2009. The Effect of Vine Kill and Harvest Date on Tuber Respiration Rates and Tuber Sugars. Proceedings Wisconsin Annual Potato Meetings. 22:111-112.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Russet Burbank potatoes were grown using standard procedures for planting, fertilization, irrigation, and pest management. Vine kill and harvest occurred on three staggered dates that spanned approximately six weeks. Vines were either killed chemically or left untreated and ubers were harvested from vines that have not senesced, from vines showing limited or no senescence, and from vines that have senesced completely. Tubers were harvested by hand to minimize mechanical damage. All tuber samples were stored at 55°F. Presented are data for respiration rate based on CO2 evolution from individual tubers and tuber glucose, fructose and sucrose as determined by HPLC. As an independent measure of maturity, set of the periderm is also presented. We find significant differences in respirations rates and sugar profiles between treatments and with time after harvest. These data will be discussed in light of recommendations for maintaining processing quality of potatoes.