114R484 Tuber Respiration

Background

Respiration rate is a key indicator of the physiological activity of tubers and many factors affect the rate including variety, field growth conditions, maturity level, harvest, damage, disease, sprouting and storage temperature.

Temperature is the most important store management tool and there are delicate balances to be struck when selecting a store temperature. Higher temperatures accelerate biological deterioration due to disease and sprouting but minimise cold-induced sweetening. Lower temperatures minimise biological deterioration but at increased energy costs of refrigeration and cold-induced sweetening. The increasing cost of energy is a reason for managers to look very closely at storage temperatures.

Collaboration

Sutton Bridge Crop Storage Research (SBCSR)

Aims and Objectives

Aim: To provide additional information on the energy and ventilation requirements of potatoes at specific store temperatures.

Objectives:

a) To measure the respiration rates of current varieties over a wide temperature range and prolonged storage period

b) To calculate the energy requirements for potato over the selected temperature range.

Approach

Four current varieties, including two from each of the top four (by area grown) pre-pack and processing varieties, to be CIPC treated at intake and stored at six temperatures between 1-15 °C for a duration of six months. A standard pull down will be used to achieve final temperatures. Respiration will be measured, as CO₂ production, at monthly intervals. The above data will be used to calculate the energy requirements by standard methods.