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Relationship of potato tuber periderm resistance to plant water status

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Abstract

Potato (Solanum tuberosum L. cv. Russet Burbank) tuber periderm resistance to water loss was monitored during the harvest season. Periderm resistance of tubers from water-stressed plants was compared with tubers from unstressed plants throughout a six-week harvest period, in order to determine the effect of plant condition on tuber resistance to water loss. Tubers stored for ten days at 4°C immediately following harvest were also monitored to determine if storage enhanced periderm resistance and if any difference occurred between tubers from stressed vines compared with those from unstressed vines.

During the harvest season, tuber resistance to water loss was positively correlated with plant water stress, as measured by leaf water potential and leaf diffusive resistance. Storage of tubers after harvest also caused an increase in periderm resistance. The commercial practice of vine killing, therefore, may have a positive effect on reducing weight loss in storage by enhancing the resistance of tuber periderm to water loss.

Resumen

La resistencia a la pérdida de agua de la peridermis del tubérculo fue medida en la papa (Solanum tuberosum L. cv. Russet Burbank) durante la época de cosecha. La resistencia de la peridermis de tubérculos provenientes de plantas sometidas a estrés por falta de agua, fue comparada con la de tubérculos provenientes de plantas no sometidas a dicho estrés durante seis semanas en la cosecha, con el objeto de determinar el efecto del estado de la planta sobre la resistencia a la pérdida de agua por parte de los tubérculos. Los tubérculos almacenados durante diez dias a 4°C inmediatamente después de la cosecha, fueron asimismo, estudiados para determinar si el almacenamiento acrecentaba la resistencia de la peridermis y se presentaba alguna diferencia entre tubérculos de plantas sometidas a estrés por falta de agua y de plantas no sometidas a ese estrés.

Durante la época de cosecha, la resistencia de los tubérculos a la pérdida de agua resultó positivamente correlacionada con el estrés por falta de agua en las plantas, medido como potencial de agua en las hojas y como resistencia de las hojas a la difusión. El almacenamiento de tubérculos después de la cosecha acrecentó la resistencia de la peridermis. Por lo tanto, la práctica comercial de matar el follaje puede tener un efecto positivo en reducir la pérdida de peso durante el almacenamiento al acrecentar la resistencia de la peridermis de los tubérculos a la pérdida de agua.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Southwest Idaho Research and Extension Center, 83660, Parma, Idaho

    C. A. Braue

  2. Institute of Biological Chemistry, Washington State University, 99164-6414, Pullman, WA

    R. L. Wample (Assistant Professor of Horticulture) & P. E. Kolattukudy (Professor and Director)

  3. U and I Incorporated, 8701 W. Gage Blvd., 99336, Kennewick, WA

    B. B. Dean (Director of Agronomy/Potato Specialist)

Authors
  1. C. A. Braue
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  2. R. L. Wample
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  3. P. E. Kolattukudy
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  4. B. B. Dean
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Additional information

Scientific Paper No. SP 6526. College of Agriculture Research Center, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164-6414. Project No. 0487.

Former Graduate Research Assistant.

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Braue, C.A., Wample, R.L., Kolattukudy, P.E. et al. Relationship of potato tuber periderm resistance to plant water status. American Potato Journal 60, 827–837 (1983). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02853972

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02853972

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