Carl W. Hall

Influence of variety and time upon the resistance of potatoes to mechanical damage

SummarySignificant differences existed between certain potato varieties in their response to applied stress or surface pressure. From the standpoint of the stress required to rupture the tuber skin and the tissue immediately beneath the skin, Kennebec was significantly lower in resistance to injury than Russet Burbank, Katahdin, Sebago, and Onaway.The resistance of the potatoes to injury decreased with time during the pre-harvest tests, and increased with time after harvest. It was suggested that soil moisture may interact with time to cause a decrease in the resistance of the potato to mechanical pressure during the pre-harvest season.After a one month curing period, the energy the tubers could with-stand increased by 30 to 80%.No linear correlation was found between spcific gravity and the mechanical loads necessary to rupture the potato tuber.