Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Mint essential oil can induce or inhibit potato sprouting by differential alteration of apical meristem

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Planta Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Sprouting of potatoes during storage, due to tuber dormancy release, is associated with weight loss and softening. Sprout-preventing chemicals, such as chlorpropham (CIPC), can negatively impact the environment and human health. Monthly thermal fogging with mint (Mentha spicata L.) essential oil (MEO) inhibited sprouting in eight potato cultivars during large-volume 6-month storage: the tubers remained firm with 38% lower weight loss after 140 days of storage. The sprout-inhibitory action may be nullified: treated tubers washed with water resumed sprouting within days, with reduced apical dominance. MEO application caused local necrosis of the bud meristem, and a few weeks later, axillary bud (AX) growth was induced in the same sprouting eye. MEO components analysis showed that 73% of its content is the monoterpene R-carvone. Tubers treated with synthetic R-carvone in equivalent dose, 4.5 μl l−1, showed an inhibitory effect similar to that of MEO. Surprisingly, 0.5 μl l−1 of MEO or synthetic R-carvone catalyzed AX sprouting in the tuber. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of an essential oil vapor inducing early sprouting of potato tubers. R-carvone caused visible damage to the meristem membrane at sprout-inhibiting, but not sprout-inducing doses, suggesting different underlying mechanisms. After 5 days’ exposure to R-carvone, its derivatives transcarveol and neo-dihydrocarveol were found in buds of tubers treated with the inhibitory dose, suggesting biodegradation. These experiments demonstrate the potential of MEO vapor as an environmentally friendly alternative to CIPC in stored potatoes and as a research tool for the control of sprouting in plants.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5

Similar content being viewed by others

Abbreviations

AX:

Axillary bud

CIPC:

Isopropyl N-(3-chlorophenyl) carbamate

LRI:

Linear retention index

MEO:

Mint essential oil

References

  • Adams RP (2001) Identification of essential oil components by gas chromatography/quadrupole mass spectroscopy. Allured Publ. Co., Carol Stream

    Google Scholar 

  • Afek U, Orenstein J, Nuriel E (2000) Using HPP (hydrogen peroxide plus) to inhibit potato sprouting during storage. Am J Potato Res 77:63–65

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Alexopoulos AA, Aivalakis G, Akoumianakis KA, Passam HC (2009) Bromoethane induces dormancy breakage and metabolic changes in tubers derived from true potato seed. Postharvest Biol Technol 54:165–171

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Asplund RO (1968) Monoterpenes: relationship between structure and inhibition of germination. Phytochemistry 7:1995–1997

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bajji M, M’Hamdi M, Gastiny F, Rojas-Beltran J, du Jardin P (2007) Catalase inhibition accelerates dormancy release and sprouting in potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) tubers. Biotechnol Agron Soc Environ 11:121–131

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Beveridge J, Dalziel J, Duncan H (1981) The assessment of some volatile organic compounds as sprout suppressants for ware and seed potatoes. Potato Res 24:61–76

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bolte S, Brown S, Satiat-Jeunemaitre B (2004) The N-myristoylated Rab-GTPase m-Rabmc is involved in post-Golgi trafficking events to the lytic vacuole in plant cells. J Cell Sci 117:943–954

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Campbell M, Segear E, Beers L, Knauber D, Suttle J (2008) Dormancy in potato tuber meristems: chemically induced cessation in dormancy matches the natural process based on transcript profiles. Funct Integr Genomics 8:317–328

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Coffin RH, Yada RY, Parkin KL, Grodzinski B, Stanley DW (1987) Effect of low temperature storage on sugar concentrations and chip color of certain processing potato cultivars and selections. J Food Sci 52:639–645

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Coleman W (1987) Dormancy release in potato tubers: a review. Am J Potato Res 64:57–68

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Conte E, Imbroglini G, Bertolini P, Camoni I (1995) Presence of sprout inhibitor residues in potatoes in relation to application techniques. J Agric Food Chem 43:2985–2987

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Daniels-Lake BJ, Prange RK, Kalt W, Liew CL, Walsh J, Dean P, Coffin R (1996) The effects of ozone and 1,8-cineole on sprouting, fry color and sugars of stored Russet Burbank potatoes. Am Potato J 73:469–481

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • de Carvalho C, da Fonseca MMR (2006) Carvone: why and how should one bother to produce this terpene. Food Chem 95:413–422

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dudai N, Larkov O, Putievsky E, Lerner HR, Ravid U, Lewinsohn E, Mayer AM (2000) Biotransformation of constituents of essential oils by germinating wheat seed. Phytochemistry 55:375–382

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Elmastas M, Dermirtas I, Isildak O, Aboul-Enein HY (2006) Antioxidant activity of S-carvone isolated from spearmint (Mentha spicata L. Fam Lamiaceae). J Liq Chromatogr Relat Technol 29:1465–1475

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Eshel D, Orenstein J, Hazanovsky M, Tsror L (2008) Control of sprouting and tuber-borne diseases of stored potato by environment-friendly method. Acta Hortic 830:363–368

    Google Scholar 

  • Fernie AR, Willmitzer L (2001) Molecular and biochemical triggers of potato tuber development. Plant Physiol 127:1459–1465

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Fischer NH (1986) The function of mono and sesquiterpenes as plant germination and growth regulators. In: Putnam AR, Taug SC (eds) The science of allelopathy. Wiley, New York, pp 203–218

    Google Scholar 

  • Hartmans KJ, Diepenhorst P, Bakker W, Gorris LGM (1995) The use of carvone in agriculture: sprout suppression of potatoes and antifungal activity against potato tuber and other plant diseases. Ind Crops Prod 4:3–13

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kamenetsky R (1994) Life cycle, flower initiation, and propagation of the desert geophytes Allium Rothii. Int J Plant Sci 155:597–605

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lang GA, Early JD, Martin GC, Darnell RL (1987) Endo, para-and ecodormancy: physiological terminology and classification for dormancy research. HortScience 22:371–377

    Google Scholar 

  • Larkov O, Matasyoh JC, Dudai N, Lewinsohn E, Mayer AA, Ravid U (2007) Distribution of piperitone oxide stereoisomers in Mentha and Micromeria species and their chemical syntheses. Flavour Fragr J 22:328–333

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Law RD, Suttle JC (2003) Transient decreases in methylation at 5-CCGG-3 sequences in potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) meristem DNA during progression of tubers through dormancy precede the resumption of sprout growth. Plant Mol Biol 51:437–447

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Leitereg TJ, Guadagni DG, Harris J, Mon TR, Teranishi R (1971) Chemical and sensory data supporting the difference between the odors of the enantiomeric carvones. J Agric Food Chem 19:785–787

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lewinsohn E, Gijzen M (2009) Phytochemical diversity: the sounds of silent metabolism. Plant Sci 176:161–169

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lorber P, Muller WH (1976) Volatile growth inhibitors produced by Salvia leucophylla: effects on seedling root tip ultrastructure. Am J Bot 63:196–200

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Meigh DF (1969) Suppression of sprouting in stored potatoes by volatile organic compounds. J Sci Food Agric 20:159–164

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Northcott D, Nowak J (1988) Effects of hydrogen cyanamide on seed potato. Potato Res 31:95–103

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Nurit F, Melo EG, Ravanel P, Tissut M (1989) Specific inhibition of mitosis in cell suspension cultures by a N-phenylcarbamate series. Pestic Biochem Physiol (UK) 35:203–210

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Oosterhaven K, Poolman B, Smid EJ (1995) S-carvone as a natural potato sprout inhibiting, fungistatic and bacteristatic compound. Ind Crops Prod 4:23–31

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Prange RK, Kalt W, Daniels-Lake BJ, Liew CL, Page RT, Walsh JR, Dean P, Coffin R (1998) Using ethylene as a sprout control agent in stored ‘Russet Burbank’ potatoes. J Am Soc Hortic Sci 123:463–469

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Prat S, Frommer WB, Hofgen R, Keil M, Kossmann J, Koster-Topfer M, Liu XJ, Muller B, Pena-Cortes H, Rocha-Sosa M (1990) Gene expression during tuber development in potato plants. FEBS Lett 268:334–338

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Reynolds T (1987) Comparative effects of alicyclic compounds and quinones on inhibition of lettuce fruit germination. Ann Bot 60:215–223

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Reynolds T (1989) Comparative effects of heterocyclic compounds on inhibition of lettuce fruit germination. J Exp Bot 40:391–404

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rosin FM, Hart JK, Van Onckelen H, Hannapel DJ (2003) Suppression of a vegetative MADS box gene of potato activates axillary meristem development. Plant Physiol 131:1613–1622

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Schmitz G, Theres K (1999) Genetic control of branching in Arabidopsis and tomato. Curr Opin Plant Biol 2:51–55

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Shimizu-Sato S, Mori H (2001) Control of outgrowth and dormancy in axillary buds. Plant Physiol 127:1405–1413

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sorce C, Lorenzi R, Parisi B, Ranalli P (2005) Physiological mechanisms involved in potato (Solanum tuberosum) tuber dormancy and the control of sprouting by chemical suppressants. Acta Hortic (ISHS) 684:177–186

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sussex IM (1955) Morphogenesis in Solanum tuberosum L.: experimental investigation of leaf dorsiventrality and orientation in the juvenile shoot. Phytomorphology 5:286–300

    Google Scholar 

  • Sussex IM, Kerk NM (2001) The evolution of plant architecture. Curr Opin Plant Biol 4:33–37

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Turnbull CGN, Hanke DE (1985) The control of bud dormancy in potato tubers. Planta 165:359–365

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Vaughn S, Spencer G (1993) Naturally-occurring aromatic compounds inhibit potato tuber sprouting. Am J Potato Res 70:527–533

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Visser RGF, Vreugdenhil D, Hendriks T, Jacobsen E (1994) Gene expression and carbohydrate content during stolon to tuber transition in potatoes (Solanum tuberosum). Physiol Plant 90:285–292

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wiltshire JJJ, Cobb AH (1996) A review of the physiology of potato tuber dormancy. Ann Appl Biol 129:553–569

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Postharvest Science, The Volcani Center, 50250, Bet Dagan, Israel

    Paula Teper-Bamnolker & Dani Eshel

  2. Newe Ya’ar Research Center, Agricultural Research Organization, 30095, Ramat Yishai, Israel

    Nativ Dudai & Ravit Fischer

  3. Department of Ornamental Horticulture, The Volcani Center, 50250, Bet Dagan, Israel

    Eduard Belausov

  4. Department of Fruit Tree Sciences, The Volcani Center, 50250, Bet Dagan, Israel

    Hanita Zemach

  5. The Robert H. Smith Institute of Plant Sciences and Genetics in Agriculture, Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel

    Oded Shoseyov

Authors
  1. Paula Teper-Bamnolker
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Nativ Dudai
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Ravit Fischer
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Eduard Belausov
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Hanita Zemach
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Oded Shoseyov
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Dani Eshel
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Dani Eshel.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Teper-Bamnolker, P., Dudai, N., Fischer, R. et al. Mint essential oil can induce or inhibit potato sprouting by differential alteration of apical meristem. Planta 232, 179–186 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00425-010-1154-5

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00425-010-1154-5

Keywords

Search

Navigation