Storage temperature and maleic hydrazide effects on sprouting, sugars, and fry color of Shepody potatoes

Abstract

The effect of low storage temperature (4 to 8 C) and maleic hydrazide (MH) treatment on sprouting, sucrose and reducing sugar (glucose and fructose) concentrations in tubers, and fry color-sugar relationships of Shepody were determined and compared to Russet Burbank. Sprouting of Shepody was delayed by 3 to 15 weeks when the temperature was lowered from 8 to 6 or 5 C, respectively. Shepody accumulated more sugars at all storage temperatures than Russet Burbank. The reducing sugars accumulated in Shepody at 5 and 6 C could be lowered to levels acceptable for processing for about 24 weeks after harvest by reconditioning at 18 C for at least two weeks. MH increased glucose in Shepody stored at 5 C compared to untreated tubers. Excessive sprouting (> 10 cm sprout length) of nonsprout inhibited Shepody occured late in storage with four weeks reconditioning. Although not statistically significant, MH tended to cause darker fry color per unit of reducing sugar in Shepody compared to tubers from untreated plants. Storage of Shepody tubers not treated with MH could be extended a few weeks by temperatures < 8 C only if there is precise control over temperature, sugars are closely monitored, and reconditioning is rapid to minimize sprouting.