Potatoes Need Oxygen

Authors: Bethke, Paul

Submitted to: Common Tater
Publication Type: Trade Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/10/2022
Publication Date: 9/1/2022
Citation: Bethke, P.C. 2022. Breathe easy and stay well. Common Tater. August 2022:74:54-57.

Interpretive Summary: Every potato needs oxygen, and every potato has lenticels to satisfy this need. Lenticel enlargement occurs when the oxygen supply is restricted, most commonly by a film of water on the tuber surface. Lenticel enlargement has benefits for the potato but may be detrimental for potato growers and shippers. Adverse consequences of enlarged lenticels include reduced skin quality and increased susceptibility to soft rot. Conditions that promote lenticel enlargement are reviewed with an eye toward management strategies that can be implemented to avoid those conditions. Efforts to prevent lenticel enlargement contribute to an operation’s overall effort to reliably deliver quality potatoes to their customers.

Technical Abstract: Every potato needs oxygen, and every potato has lenticels to satisfy this need. Lenticel enlargement occurs when the oxygen supply is restricted, most commonly by a film of water on the tuber surface. Lenticel enlargement has benefits for the potato but may be detrimental for potato growers and shippers. Adverse consequences of enlarged lenticels include reduced skin quality and increased susceptibility to soft rot. Conditions that promote lenticel enlargement are reviewed with an eye toward management strategies that can be implemented to avoid those conditions. Efforts to prevent lenticel enlargement contribute to an operation’s overall effort to reliably deliver quality potatoes to their customers.