Potato tuber bruising in the Cleveland and Rochester markets

Summary

• 1. Retail store samples of potatoes purchased in Cleveland and Rochester and analyzed at Ithaca showed an average of 6.11 per cent damage and 2.21 per cent serious damage from tuber bruising. This represents 38.6 per cent of the total damage from all causes.

• 2. Bruising damage averaged considerably higher in chain groceries than in independent groceries, and fruit and vegetable stores. Injury was least in potatoes used by institutions such as hotels, cafeterias, restaurants and hospitals. These differences are caused partially by different methods of buying and handling.

• 3. The Green Mountain variety showed a much greater percentage of injury than any other variety studied. White Rurals appeared to resist bruising more than Russet Rurals when handled in the same way.

• 4. Fifty-eight 30-pound samples analyzed at the car and later in the retail market showed an increase of more than three-fold in total bruising damage from handling, the final total percentage by weight being 12.69 Per cent.

• 5. The Green Mountain was the least resistant to rough handling. Chippewa and Katahdin, two new varieties, showed an even smaller increase in damage from bruising than did the White Rurals.