Abstract
During growth of Russet Burbank tubers from less than 100 to over 250 g, thickness of parenchyma cell walls nearly doubled (1.9X) to slightly over 1 μ. Although affecting cell size at harvest maturity, different levels of N fertilizer and soil moisture had little influence on wall thickness. Wall thickness in Kennebec and Norchip increased to 0.9μ (1.7X), and in White Rose to slightly under 0.8 (1.2X). During the same growth, cell size nearly doubled in Russet Burbank. Cells of Kennebec, Norchip and White Rose averaged smaller than those of Russet Burbank at harvest maturity.
Wall thickness and cell size showed similar relationships in foreign cultivars. Wall thickness in European varieties Bintje and Pimpernel was comparable to that of White Rose. Thickness in Atjimba closely approached that of Russet Burbank, and in Kamarz was similar to that of Norchip. Among South American cultivars, Doré had unusually thick walls (1.36μ), whereas those in Fruitella and Papa Bianca were between those of Norchip and White Rose. Bintje was comparable to domestic cultivars in tuber size, but all other foreign cultivars studied had medium to small tubers. Doré had unusually large cells for a small tuber.
Differences in wall thickness may be due to differences in amounts of cell wall material, to differences in hydration properties of pectic components, or to combinations of both. Independently of wall thickness, the many primary pit fields in parenchyma walls may be a limiting factor in wall strength. The very thin pit membranes consist mainly of cellulosic microfibrils formed early in cell growth.
Similar content being viewed by others
Literature Cited
Bartolome, L. G. and J. E. Hoff. 1972. Firming of potatoes: Biochemical effects of preheating. J. Agr. Food Chem. 20: 226–270.
Esau, K. 1965.In Plant Anatomy. John Wiley and Sons, Inc., New York, 2nd ed.
Hoff, J. E. and M. D. Castro. 1969. Chemical composition of potato cell wall. J. Agr. Food Chem. 17: 1328–1331.
Reeve, R. M., 1948. An adaptable staining schedule for plant tissues. Stain Technol. 23: 13–15.
Reeve, R. M. 1967. A review of cellular structure, starch and texture qualities of processed potatoes. Econ. Bot. 21: 294–308.
Reeve, R. M. 1970. Relationships of histological structure to texture of processed fruits and vegetables. J. Texture Studies 1: 247–284.
Reeve, R. M. 1972. Communication: Pectin and starch in preheating firming and final texture of potato products. J. Agr. Food Chem. 20: 1282.
Reeve, R. M., H. Timm and M. L. Weaver. 1971. Cell size in Russet Bur-bank potato tubers with varioous levels of nitrogen and soil moisture tensions. Amer. Potato J. 48: 450–456.
Reeve, R. M., H. Timm and M. L. Weaver. 1972. Parenchyma cell growth in potato tubers. I. Different tuber regions. Amer. Potato J. 50: 49–57.
Reeve, R. M., H. Timm and M. L. Weaver. 1972. Parenchyma cell growth in potato tubers. II. Cell divisions vs cell enlargement. Amer. Potato T 50: 71–78.
Sharma, K. M., D. R. Isleib and S. T. Dexter. 1959. The influence of specific gravity and chemical composition on hardness of potato tubers after cooking. Amer. Potato J. 36: 406–412.
Schewfelt, A. W., D. R. Brown and K. D. Troop. 1955. The relationship of mealiness in cooked potatoes to certain microscopic observations of the raw and cooked product. Canadian J. Agr. Sci. 35: 513–517.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Reeve, R.M., Timm, H. & Weaver, M.L. Cell wall thickness during growth of domestic and foreign potato cultivars. American Potato Journal 50, 204–211 (1973). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02851771
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02851771