Potato tuber lenticels: A review of their structure, function, and disease susceptibility

Authors: Bethke, Paul

Submitted to: American Journal of Potato Research
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/2/2023
Publication Date: 8/18/2023
Citation: Bethke, P.C. 2023. Potato tuber lenticels: A review of their structure, function, and disease susceptibility. American Journal of Potato Research. 2023) 100:253–264. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12230-023-09923-5.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12230-023-09923-5

Interpretive Summary: Potato tuber lenticels are small pores that allow oxygen to pass through the potato skin. This review describes lenticel development in potato. Data on lenticel permeability to oxygen and carbon dioxide are summarized. Environmental conditions that promote lenticel enlargement are described with particular emphasis given to warm and wet conditions. Lenticels are potential sites of infection by plant pathogens including common scab, powdery scab and late blight. Research on the interactions between lenticels, lenticel development and various diseases is presented, with an emphasis on potato soft rot. Many aspects of lenticel biology remain poorly understood and a few compelling unanswered questions are highlighted. Potato growers and shippers are likely to benefit from this review as it describes the factors that lead to increased susceptibility of potato tubers to lenticel spot blemishes and infection by common plant pathogens.

Technical Abstract: Potato tuber lenticels are essential components of the potato skin. This review describes lenticel development, structure, and number and how they are influenced by environmental conditions. Lenticels facilitate gas exchange between the atmosphere and the interior of the tuber, and data on lenticel permeability to oxygen and carbon dioxide are summarized. Conditions that promote proliferation of filling cells and lenticel enlargement are described in the context of laboratory experiments and observations from the field. Lenticels are potential sites of infection by plant pathogens including common scab, powdery scab and late blight. Research on the interactions between lenticels, lenticel development and various diseases is presented, with an emphasis on potato soft rot. Many aspects of lenticel biology remain poorly understood and a few compelling unanswered questions are highlighted.