Ashiv Mehta

Effect of sprout inhibitors on potato tubers (Solanum tuberosum L.) stored at ambient or reduced temperatures

SummarySingle and combined applications of three sprout inhibitors, maleic hydrazide (MH), isopropyl 3-chlorophenylcarbamate (CIPC) and isopropyl phenylcarbamate (IPC) mixed with CIPC in a commercial formulation coded AMK (Tixit-C, Sandoz, S.A.E., Barcelona, Spain; 2.0% IPC +0.7% CIPC) were tested on potatoes stored from March to June under ambient conditions (20–30°C, 30–80% RH), and in a store with passive evaporative cooling (16–30°C, 75–95% RH). All treatments were more effective in reducing physiological losses, sprouting, and sprout growth in the cool than in the ambient store. AMK, CIPC and MH+AMK caused most sprout suppression. All treatments increased tuber rotting but there were no significant differences in numbers rotted by MH, MH+CIPC, CIPC (single treatment) and the untreated control. Nevertheless, the treatments can usefully extend storage life of potatoes under non-refrigerated conditions.

Differences among potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) cultivars in northern India in performance of diffuse light stored seed potatoes

SummaryDiffuse light storage (DLS) of potato seed tubers was evaluated in the Punjab, India. Seed tubers of seven cultivars were stored in a nylon mesh covered thatch-roofed DLS and their behaviour in store and subsequent performance in the field was compared with that of tubers stored traditionally in a refrigerated cold store (RCS). DLS of seed from March to October resulted in 34–82% loss by weight due to high temperature and low humidity compared to 6–8% in RCS. When the DLS seeds were planted in replicated field trials, they showed reduced germination, germination rate index, plant height and final yield (up to 37%) compared to seeds from RCS. However, in cvs. Kufri Lalima and Phulwa yields were not significantly reduced following DLS.