Specific gravity—Solids correlations in Russet Burbank with respect to point of origin and storage history

Summary

Three Idaho potato producing areas were sampled for these studies. The 1962 crop was sampled shortly after digging time and again from storage in late January. Three sampling times were used the second year, the additional one having been made from storage in late March and early April. Upon arrival at the laboratory all samples were separated into specific gravity classes by means of brine separation, following which solids content was determined by means of oven drying. Over-all regression coefficients were determined for both years and for each area and each sampling period.

The second sampling of potatoes from the 1962 crop resulted in a higher regression coefficient than the first, but not significantly so. However, there was a significant difference between the regression coefficients of the first and second samplings from the 1963 crop, indicating a change in the specific gravity-solids relationship as the storage season progresses. The third sampling, made in early spring, did not result in a regression coefficient significantly different from the other two. No differences were observed in the regression coefficients calculated for potatoes from the three production areas.

The over-all regression coefficients for the 2 years were identical and agree with work done by others, although there is some difference between the dry matter values.