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Dormancy in the potato tuber and the effects of storage conditions on initial sprouting and on subsequent sprout growth

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Conclusions

  1. 1.

    Sprout growth is continuous at the apical eye of potato tubers after harvest. There is no incapacity for growth, but this growth is not visible to the naked eye as a sprout for a period of time, depending on the storage conditions

  2. 2.

    Temperature is the prime factor in controlling the length of the period from harvest to minimal visible sprouting; humidity may have some effect in the lower temperature range but light has no effect

  3. 3.

    Cool storage at 35–40° F is ideal from the point of view of the soundness of the end product and minimum sprout growth. Where tubers are stored for seed purposes at higher temperatures light access is essential to prevent etiolation

  4. 4.

    In general, the warmer the storage conditions the earlier is tuberization and maturity with a lower final yield than cooler-stored tubers

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Literature Cited

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Potato Section, Scientific Services, Department of Agriculture for Scotland, East Craigs, Edinburgh, Scotland

    T. M. W. Davidson (Assistant)

Authors
  1. T. M. W. Davidson
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Davidson, T.M.W. Dormancy in the potato tuber and the effects of storage conditions on initial sprouting and on subsequent sprout growth. American Potato Journal 35, 451–465 (1958). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02851270

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02851270

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