Nitrogen Response of French Fry and Chip Cultivars Selected for Low Tuber Reducing Sugars

New cultivars ‘Alpine Russet’, ‘Dakota Trailblazer’ and ‘Ivory Crisp’ have lower tuber reducing sugars and acrylamide-forming potential. Adoption of new cultivars by growers requires information about their responses to agronomic factors such as nitrogen (N) fertilizer. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of N rate on yield and quality of new cultivars relative to conventional cultivars ‘Russet Burbank’ and ‘Snowden’. The experiment was conducted over two years as a randomized complete block design replicated four times with five N rates and five cultivars. The new cultivars had comparable or higher marketable yields, and a higher percentage of large tubers (greater than170 g) than the standard cultivars. Total and marketable yields responded quadratically to N and optimized at 231 kg ha^?1 in 2011 and 319 kg ha^?1 in 2012 for all cultivars. ‘Dakota Trailblazer’ had high hollow heart incidence (greater than 10% at N rates above 125 kg ha^?1), and excessively high specific gravity, making it undesirable for processing but with potential to be a parent in a breeding program. ‘Alpine Russet’ and ‘Ivory Crisp’ had specific gravity suitable for commercial processing, and low hollow heart incidence at all N rates. Critical petiole nitrate-N concentrations 50 and 70 days after planting for all cultivars were greater in 2012 than in 2011, suggesting that interpretation of critical values can be affected by growing conditions.     

Payette Russet: a Dual-Purpose Potato Cultivar with Cold-Sweetening Resistance,Low Acrylamide Formation,and Resistance to Late Blight and Potato Virus Y

Payette Russet is a full season, russet-skinned potato cultivar notable for its cold-sweetening resistance and associated low acrylamide formation, making it ideally suited for processing into French fries and other potato products. Low asparagine and reducing sugar concentrations in Payette Russet tubers contribute to an 81 % reduction in acrylamide content in French fries relative to cultivars Ranger Russet and Russet Burbank following eight months storage at 9 °C. In three years of evaluations in the Western Regional Potato Variety Trials, average yield of Payette Russet was intermediate between Ranger Russet and Russet Burbank, but Payette Russet had the highest U.S. No. 1 yield when averaged across all eight trial locations. Acceptably low tuber glucose concentrations (<0.10 % glucose FWB) were maintained in Payette Russet following up to nine months storage at temperatures as low as 5.6 °C with consistently acceptable French fry color scores obtained (USDA value ≤2.0). Reducing sugars are also maintained uniformly throughout Payette Russet tubers, resulting in a low incidence of sugar ends and reduced mottling in French fries relative to standard processing cultivars. Long tuber dormancy also benefits long-term storage for processing. With its russet skin, Payette Russet could also be used for fresh-pack, and its assemblage of disease resistances makes it especially suitable for organic production, or for use by growers and companies seeking greater sustainability in their production. Payette Russet is resistant to foliar and tuber late blight, common scab, and has extreme resistance to PVY conferred by the presence of the Rysto resistance gene. Payette Russet also has a moderate level of resistance to Verticillium wilt, early blight, and corky ringspot. It is susceptible to Fusarium dry rot (F. sambucinum), therefore production and storage management guidelines are provided to minimize tuber infection. Payette Russet displays a low incidence of second growth and growth cracks, especially relative to Russet Burbank, and is intermediate between Ranger Russet and Russet Burbank for incidence of hollow heart/brown center. Blackspot bruise expression for Payette Russet is similar to Russet Burbank and reduced relative to Ranger Russet. Payette Russet was more susceptible to shatter bruise, internal brown spot, and tuber weight loss in storage relative to the industry standard cultivars. Payette Russet was released in 2015 by the USDA-ARS and the Agricultural Experiment Stations of Idaho, Oregon, and Washington, and is a product of the Northwest (Tri-State) Potato Variety Development Program.     

Auxin Modulates Gibberellin-Induced Effects on Growth,Yield, and Raw Product Recovery for Frozen Processing in Potato (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Solanum tuberosum</Emphasis> L.)

Tuber shape phenotype is an important determinant of raw product (≥7.6-cm-long French fries) recovery for frozen processing. Tuber length-to-width (L/W) ratios ≥1.8 translate to maximum yield of raw product; however, some cultivars produce tubers with much lower L/W ratios. While gibberellin (GA) can be used to elongate tubers, it also decreases tuber size and can thereby attenuate raw product recovery. We investigated the utility of GA and naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) combination treatments for modifying tuber set, size, and shape to increase yield of raw product from ‘Payette Russet’ and ‘Alturas’; two late-season frozen-processing cultivars that often produce tubers with undesirably low L/W ratios. Models describing L/W ratio and fry yield by tuber size class were developed to translate total U.S. No. 1 tuber yields (>113 g) into yield of raw product. Increases in the L/W ratios of 113–284-g tubers had a greater effect on recovery of French fries (% fresh wt) than for tubers >284 g. Undersize (<113 g) and oversize (>340 g) tubers yielded 0 and 96% fries, respectively, regardless of L/W ratio. GA applied as a seed treatment effectively hastened emergence and altered tuber shape by increasing the L/W ratios of ‘Alturas’ and ‘Payette Russet’ tubers, enhancing total fry yield for the 113–340-g tubers by 24–46%, depending on concentration and application technique (dip, spray, in-furrow). However, GA also decreased apical dominance and shifted tuber size distribution away from >284-g tubers toward higher yields of <170-g tubers, erasing the gains in fry yield when all size classes (>113 g) were considered. When combined with GA, NAA maintained apical dominance, attenuated the shift in tuber size distribution, had no effect on the GA-induced increase in tuber L/W ratio, and only partly moderated the GA-induced stimulation of plant emergence. Raw product yield from ‘Payette Russet’ increased 12–39% in spray application trials by using NAA to confine the effect of GA to tuber shape and limit the loss of U.S. No. 1 tubers to undersize. Increases in tuber L/W ratio with GA/NAA seed treatments translated to increased yield of fries only when the relative concentrations were adjusted to minimize loss of >284-g tubers and gain in undersize tubers, as dictated by cultivar sensitivity to GA. ‘Alturas’ was less sensitive to GA than ‘Payette Russet’ for shifts in tuber size distribution but not shape, resulting in 17% increase in raw product with GA alone in pre-plant seed spray application studies. GA/NAA combination treatments provide an effective approach to manipulate tuber size distribution and enhance the yield of raw product for frozen processing in cultivars with a rounder tuber shape phenotype.     

Relationships between fry color and sugar concentration in stored Russet Burbank and Shepody potatoes

Relationships between french fry color and sugar composition of Russet Burbank and Shepody potatoes harvested at various chemical maturities (i.e., sucrose concentrations) and exposed to various temperature regimes during 8 to 9 months storage were examined. Combined data from 3 years of study showed fry color to be more closely associated with glucose during 8 C storage for Russet Burbank (r²=0.65) and Shepody (r²=0.62) than with fructose, total reducing sugars, sucrose, or total sugars. Glucose > 1.6 mg g^?1 in Russet Burbank and > 1.2 mg g^?1 in Shepody resulted in fries which were too dark to be eligible for maximum bonus paid by processors for good color. Russet Burbank harvested with sucrose > 3.1 mg g^?1 and Shepody harvested with sucrose > 1.6 mg g^?1 and preconditioned for 14 d at 15 C before storage at 8 C accumulated enough glucose in storage to result in fries which were darker than was acceptable for maximum bonus payment. Preconditioning at 15 C for 70 d was necessary to prevent Russet Burbank with sucrose of 3.9 mg g^?1 at harvest from accumulating unacceptably high glucose during storage. Glucose determined with enzymatic test strips was in close agreement with that by HPLC for both cultivars. The test strips could be used to estimate fry color of Russet Burbank.     

Rate of Cooling Alters Chip Color,Sugar Contents,and Gene Expression Profiles in Stored Potato Tubers

When stored at temperatures below 10 °C, potatoes accumulate sucrose and the reducing sugars glucose and fructose. This process, cold-induced sweetening, has been studied extensively because potatoes with elevated reducing sugar contents produce undesirable, dark-colored products and acrylamide, a suspected carcinogen, during high-temperature cooking. Potatoes in commercial storages are cooled slowly, but many research studies have used potatoes cooled rapidly. In this study, effects of cooling rate and variety on chip color, sugars, and gene expression were examined. Sucrose and reducing sugar contents were substantially lower in slowly cooled than in rapidly cooled tubers of ‘Snowden’ and “MegaChip’ for the first 11 weeks after cooling to 3 °C began. Differences in gene expression for VInv, β-amylase, SPS, AGPase and GBSS were observed between cooling treatments and varieties. Overall, the data showed that cooling rate, time in storage, and variety influenced multiple aspects of cold-induced sweetening.     

Teton Russet: An Early-Maturing,Dual-Purpose Potato Cultivar Having Higher Protein and Vitamin C Content,Low Asparagine,and Resistances to Common Scab and Fusarium Dry Rot

Teton Russet is an early-maturing, medium-russeted, potato cultivar with high merit for both fresh-pack and processing. In early harvest trials in the Pacific Northwest, Teton Russet had total yields similar to Russet Norkotah, and higher than Ranger Russet and Russet Burbank. Marketable yield of Teton Russet in the early harvest trials was also comparable to or higher than Russet Norkotah in Washington and Oregon, and higher than Ranger Russet and Russet Burbank at these sites, as well as in Idaho. In full-season trials, while total yield of the earlier-maturing Teton Russet tended to be lower than Ranger Russet and Russet Burbank, marketable yield was generally higher than Russet Burbank across the majority of sites due to its higher percentage of U.S. No. 1 tubers. Teton Russet is suitable for processing, with acceptable fry color following up to 8 months of storage at 8.9 °C. Uniformity of fry color was also very consistent. Teton Russet has shown lower levels of the amino acid asparagine relative to Ranger Russet and Russet Burbank which may contribute to lower acrylamide levels in French fries and other processed potato products. Teton Russet is notable for having resistance to common scab (Streptomyces spp.) and Fusarium dry rot, and is moderately resistant to tuber net necrosis. Analyses have also shown Teton Russet to have significantly higher protein levels than Russet Norkotah, Ranger Russet, and Russet Burbank, as well as higher vitamin C content than Russet Norkotah and Russet Burbank. Teton Russet was released in 2011 by the USDA-ARS and the Agricultural Experiment Stations of Idaho, Oregon, and Washington, and is a product of the Pacific Northwest Potato Variety (Tri-State) Development Program.     

The processing potential of tubers of the cultivated potato,Solanum tuberosum L., after storage at low temperatures. 2. Sugar concentration

Summary Several clones from a potato breeding programme at the Scottish Crop Research Institute (SCRI) produced acceptable (pale) coloured fry products after five months' storage at 4°C. Chemical analysis of tuber samples taken at five-week intervals during storage at 4°C and 10°C gave a substantial variation in glucose, fructose and sucrose concentrations among the 22 clones examined. Several unnamed SCRI clones showed little accumulation of reducing sugars when stored at 4°C. In marked contrast, the cultivars Record and Pentland Dell, currently the most widely used cultivars for fry processing in the UK, accumulated far greater levels of sugar during low temperature storage. Glucose concentration proved more important than fructose concentration in determining fry colour. Clones with the lowest concentrations of glucose after storage at 4°C also showed lowest concentrations when stored at 10°C. These results are in agreement with previous reports on the predictive value of glucose levels at harvest, but this is the first identification of such low temperature, low sweetening variants in agronomically adapted clones of the cultivated tetraploid potato.     

Somatic Mining for Phytonutrient Improvement of ‘Russet Burbank’ Potato

Screening of >800 somaclones of ‘Russet Burbank’, North America’s leading French fry cultivar, for improved yield and processing quality, led to the selection of 25 advanced lines. Three replicates of 3–5 tubers each from advanced lines were assessed after 5 months storage for antioxidant and polyphenol attributes; a subject receiving increased attention among plant breeders, nutritionists, and consumers. Phytonutrients affecting antioxidant components and total antioxidant capacity per serving (150 g fresh matter; one serving size) varied significantly among tubers of the 25 somaclones as well as between these somaclones and ‘Russet Burbank’ control plants (field tuber-derived and plantlet-derived). Several phenolics, including chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid derivatives, ferulic acid derivatives as well as the flavonoid rutin, ranged in concentration from 10- to 100-fold with some lines exceeding control tuber concentrations by >7-fold. Similarly, ascorbic acid ranged >3-fold (47.21 to 208.63 mg) on a per serving basis with some lines showing significantly greater concentrations than the control plantlet derived tubers (93.82 mg) by >2-fold. Antioxidant capacity, estimated using 2,2′-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) (ABTS), ranged up to 5-fold for the advanced somaclones (2,121.34 to 11,163.07 μM trolox equivalent/serving). Less variation occurred with other antioxidant capacity tests (DPPH, Folin-Ciocalteu). Overall 17/25 lines had increased antioxidant components. HPLC assays were necessary to confirm lines with better phytonutrient profiles. Somaclonal selection offers clear benefits for phytonutrient improvement in potato and can follow selection for yield and processing attributes.     

Effects of Elevated CO2 and Trace Ethylene Present Throughout the Storage Season on the Processing Colour of Stored Potatoes

Previous short-term trials (9-week duration) have shown that the fry colour of stored potatoes (Solanum tuberosum L.) can be negatively affected by simultaneous exposure to elevated CO₂ plus a trace concentration of ethylene gas. In the present study, trials were conducted during each of two storage seasons (2008–2009 and 2009–2010), to examine the effects of long-term exposure to these two gases during the entire November to June storage season. In each year, 0 or 2 kPa CO₂ and 0 or 0.5 μl l⁻¹ ethylene were applied in a factorial design to tubers of four processing cultivars (Russet Burbank, Shepody, Innovator and Dakota Pearl). Processing colour of the tubers was evaluated at the start of each trial and at intervals of 4 weeks thereafter. In the three French fry cultivars (i.e. Russet Burbank, Shepody and Innovator), the fry colour of tubers exposed to CO₂ + ethylene together was darker than the controls. In the chipping cultivar Dakota Pearl, the gas treatments had only a small effect on chip colour. Fry colour darkening due to an interaction of CO₂ × ethylene × time was significant only in Innovator. Processing colour of all cultivars was darkened by these gases, but the magnitude and timing of the responses varied widely between gases, among cultivars and from the start to the end of the season.     

Pomerelle Russet: an Early Maturing Potato Variety with High Yields of U.S. No. 1 Tubers Suitable for Fresh Market and mid-Storage Processing and Tolerance to Potato Mop-top Virus

Pomerelle Russet is an early maturing fresh potato variety, which produces moderately high early-season (95–110 days after planting) yields of long tubers with brown-russet skin. It is notable for its very attractive, smooth tubers and resistances to internal and external defects with a high percentage of U.S. No. 1 tubers. Fresh merit ratings for Pomerelle Russet in trials conducted in Idaho, Oregon and Washington were consistently higher than Russet Burbank and Russet Norkotah. Early harvest yields for Pomerelle Russet are generally comparable to Russet Norkotah with a higher percentage of U.S. No. 1 tubers. Compared to Russet Burbank and Russet Norkotah, Pomerelle Russet has greater resistance to Potato mop-top virus, soft rot, corky ringspot and tuber infections from late blight. It also has higher protein and vitamin C concentrations than Ranger Russet, Russet Burbank and Russet Norkotah, indicating that it can provide an enhanced level of dietary protein and vitamin C relative to these standard potato varieties. Pomerelle Russet has moderate specific gravity and good resistance to sugar ends. It also has moderately long dormancy, about 30 days shorter than Russet Burbank. Average post-harvest processing ratings for Pomerelle Russet were similar to Ranger Russet and greater than Russet Burbank. Pomerelle Russet also has maintained acceptable fry color for about 180–200 days in storage at 8.9 °C, indicating potential for processing out of mid-term storage, with improved fry color uniformity relative to industry standards. However, its primary use appears to be as a high quality, early fresh variety.     

Effects of Holding Temperatures on the Development of Zebra Chip Symptoms, ‘<Emphasis Type="Italic">Candidatus</Emphasis> Liberibacter Solanacearum’ Titers,and Phenolic Levels in ‘Red La Soda’ and ‘Russet Norkotah’ Tubers

‘Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum’ (Lso) is the putative causal agent of zebra chip disease (ZC). Late season Lso-infected potatoes that are known to be asymptomatic at harvest may continue to develop symptoms by the time of shipment to consumers. This study observed symptom development, Lso titer changes, and changes in symptom-associated phenolic compounds in Lso-infected yet asymptomatic tubers placed at different holding temperatures. ZC symptoms present in freshly-sliced tubers were more severe in ‘Red La Soda’ or ‘Russet Norkotah’ tubers held at 3 °C than at 6 °C or 9 °C. However, Lso titers showed considerable variability in both cultivars over time and at these holding temperatures. Phenolic compound levels, known to be associated with ZC symptom severity, in tubers kept at 3 °C were greater than those kept at 6 °C or 9 °C and increased over time. These results demonstrate that ZC could develop in tubers kept in cold storage, with those kept at 3 °C having more ZC development than those kept at 6 °C or 9 °C.     

Sage Russet: a New High Yielding Russet Potato Variety with Cold-Sweetening Resistance,High Vitamin C and Protein Contents and Excellent Fresh Pack and Processing Potential

Sage Russet was released in 2009 by Oregon State University, in cooperation with the USDA-ARS and the Agricultural Experiment Stations of Idaho and Washington. It is a product of the Northwest Potato Variety (Tri-State) Development Program. Sage Russet has a medium-early maturity and produces long, somewhat flattened tubers with medium russeting of the skin. Total yields of Sage Russet are similar to those of Russet Burbank and Ranger Russet, but are significantly higher than those of Russet Norkotah. Sage Russet has significantly higher U.S. No.1 yields than Russet Burbank, Russet Norkotah, and Ranger Russet. It can be grown as an early or late crop with high U.S. No.1 yields and minimal internal defects. It achieved very high merit scores in processing and fresh market in Western Regional trials and can be considered for both markets. Sage Russet has a medium to high fertility requirements with high nitrogen use efficiency and medium storage capability. Sage Russet has moderate specific gravity and produces lighter fry color than the industry standard varieties. The color of fried strips following tuber storage at 4.4 °C and 7.2 °C is significantly lighter for Sage Russet than the control varieties, indicating good cold sweetening resistance. Chemical analyses have shown that Sage Russet has higher protein and vitamin C content than control varieties. Sage Russet is moderately resistant to early dying, early blight, and common scab, is resistant to tuber late blight, but susceptible to Fusarium wilt and is prone to shatter bruise.     

The Combined Effect of CO2 and Ethylene Sprout Inhibitor on the Fry Colour of Stored Potatoes (Solanum tuberosum L.)

Recently, it has been shown that the darkening of potato processing colour attributable to a trace concentration of ethylene gas is more severe when CO₂ is also elevated. In view of the increasing use of ethylene gas for sprout suppression in potato storage facilities, it was considered important to determine whether this effect also occurs at the much higher ethylene concentration used in commercial practice. Sprouting and processing colour of the French fry cultivars Russet Burbank, Shepody and Innovator and the potato crisp cultivar Dakota Pearl were tested during the November to June storage season of two consecutive years. Treatments were 0 or 2 kPa CO₂ and 0 or 10 μL?L^?1 ethylene in a factorial design, plus a chlorpropham check. The 0 CO₂?+?0 ethylene treatment constituted an untreated control. The ethylene exposure was commenced abruptly to maximize its effect on colour. The main effect of ethylene resulted in darker processing colour in all cultivars, whereas darkening attributable to the main effect of CO₂ was observed only in Innovator and Dakota Pearl. The statistical interaction of the CO₂ and ethylene was not significant except in Dakota Pearl Hunter a (redness) scores, although a tendency to darker colour when both gases were present was seen in Russet Burbank and Innovator at all evaluation dates. The results indicate that both gases can affect processing colour when ethylene is used to control sprouting, although considerable variability in the response exists among cultivars. This variability in combination with management of storage conditions such as temperature and CO₂ can be utilized to minimize the impact of these gases on the processing colour of stored potatoes.     

Response of four potato cultivars to rate and timing of nitrogen fertilizer

The release of three new potato (Solarium tuberosum L.) cultivars, Bannock Russet, Gem Russet, and Summit Russet, with unique plant growth characteristics, necessitates the development of appropriate N fertilizer recommendations. These three new cultivars, along with the standard cultivar, Russet Burbank, were treated with four N rates (0, 100, 200, and 300 kg N ha^?1) using two different application timing procedures (“early,” with two-thirds N applied preplant, and “late,” with one-third applied preplant). Measurements included total and U.S. No. 1 yields, petiole NO₃-N concentrations, and net returns derived from economic analysis using a processing-based contract. Each of the four cultivars showed a unique response to N application treatments. Bannock Russet achieved maximum yield and net returns with relatively small amounts of N fertilizer. It also showed no response to N application timing and had moderate NO₃-N sufficiency concentrations early in the season, that decreased markedly late in the season. Gem Russet N requirement for maximum yield was similar to that of Russet Burbank, but required a higher amount of N for maximum net returns. Gem Russet also showed no response to application timing and had NO₃-N sufficiency concentrations similar to or slightly higher than those of Russet Burbank. Summit Russet showed a strong trend for improved N use-efficiency when most of the N was applied early. On the other hand, analysis of net returns revealed a trend for greater profitability for Summit Russet when the majority of N was applied during tuber bulking. Petiole NO₃-N sufficiency concentrations for Summit Russet were generally higher than those for the other three cultivars. In comparison with some earlier studies with Russet Burbank, this research suggested lower optimal N rates and petiole NO₃-N sufficiency concentrations.     

Screening for Chip-Processing Potato Line from Introgression of Wild Species’ Germplasms with Post-Harvest Storage and Chip Qualities

The processing of potatoes into chips is expanding in China. There is a need for new processing cultivars that are well-suited for the local ecological environment. Eleven potato varieties were bred from hybridization and backcrossing between the local cultivated potato varieties (Solanum tuberosum L.) and wild potato species. Lines from different wild species’ germplasms showed that the ability to accumulate reducing sugars was significantly different during low temperature storage (4 °C). A correlation analysis was conducted to determine the correlation coefficient among reducing sugars, acid invertase, free amino acids, chip colors and the content of acrylamide after storage at room and low temperatures. The lines 0706-116, 0737-6 and 0726-205 had low levels of reducing sugars, acrylamide content and acceptable chip colors for potato chip processing. The results indicated that the transfer of wild species’ processing traits into local cultivars by hybridization and continuous backcrossing is an effective potato breeding method and that the wild germplasm resources S. phureja and S. chacoense are suitable for improving the processing traits of local varieties.     

Effects of ethylene and 1-methylcyclopropene on potato tuber sprout control and fry color

The study examined the efficacy of 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP), an anti-ethylene compound, as a preventative treatment for ethylene-induced fry color darkening in potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) tubers, without reducing the effectiveness of ethylene as a tuber sprouting control agent. The experiment was conducted for two years with ‘Shepody’ and ‘Russet Burbank.’ Tubers of each cultivar from four separate growers received one of the following treatments: Air (control), Air + 1-MCP (1 (μL.L^-1 for 48 h), isopropyl N (3-chlorophenyl) carbamate (chloropropham; CIPC; 1% a.i. [v/v]); continuous ethylene (4 μL.L^-1) in air; continuous ethylene pre-treated with 1-MCP once; continuous ethylene pre-treated with 1-MCP and repeated monthly; and continuous ethylene pre-treated with 1-MCP and repeated bi-monthly. Treatment started after suberization and cooling to 9 C, and samples were evaluated at 3-wk (year 1) or 4-wk (years 2 and 3) intervals thereafter until April (Shepody) or June (Russet Burbank). Sprout growth (sprout fresh weight per tuber), fry color (Agtron reflectance units), tuber weight loss, incidence of disease infection and internal disorders were evaluated. Weight loss, tuber infection, and the occurrence of disorders were not affected by any of the treatments. Sprout growth was controlled by the continuous ethylene supply in both cultivars, and single or multiple additions of 1-MCP to the ethylene treatment did not affect the ethylene control of sprouting. As expected, ethylene treatment alone enhanced fry color darkening in both cultivars. In Russet Burbank tubers, fry color was not darkened in any of the ethylene + 1-MCP (once, monthly, or bimonthly) treatments. In Shepody, fry color was not darkened in the ethylene + 1-MCP monthly or bimonthly treatments, but started darkening 4 wk after exposure in the single ethylene + 1-MCP treatment. It is concluded that 1-MCP can be used to control fry color darkening induced by ethylene without blocking ethylene control of tuber sprouting. However, the number of 1-MCP applications required may vary with the cultivar, e.g., one application was sufficient in Russet Burbank but not in Shepody.     

Effect of storage period, cultivar and two growing locations on the processing quality of french fried potatoes

The source of raw potato tubers and the tubers’ duration of storage have a significant effect on color and texture of french fries. Controlling these variations is crucial to ensuring a consistent, high-quality end product. Russet Burbank and Shepody potatoes grown at two sites in Manitoba, Canada were stored for 9 and 11 months in 1994, and for 1 and 3 months in 1995, to determine the effects of short-term storage period, cultivar, and two tuber-growing locations on fry color and texture. French fry texture was measured by a puncture test, and peak force and peak deformation used as indices of textural quality. Large peak forces and deformations were assumed to be indicative of improved textural quality. Hunterlab L (lightness) value was used to determine fry color, higher values being associated with improved color quality. Fries processed from 11-month-old tubers had improved color and textural quality compared to those processed from 9-month-old tubers. Fries processed after 3 months tuber storage were darker in color but firmer in texture than fries processed from tubers after 1 month of storage. Differences in texture and color between the two cultivars were more evident with prolonged storage; fries processed from Russet Burbank potatoes were superior in texture and lighter in color than fries made from Shepody potatoes. With respect to site, fries processed from potatoes grown at Portage had better texture but darker color than those processed from Carberry potatoes. It was postulated that the calcium content of the soils may be responsible for both these results.     

Tuber yield, storability, and quality of Michigan cultivars in response to nitrogen management and seedpiece spacing

Information is required on nitrogen (N) fertility and seedpiece management for new cultivars and advanced breeding lines. Interactions amongst N fertilizer rate, genotype, and seedpiece spacing are complex, and can affect tuber yield, quality, and storability as well as N fertilizer efficiency. A field study was carried out in 2001 and 2002 at MSU Montcalm Research Farm in central Michigan. Tuber yields and post-harvest quality characteristics were evaluated for five potato genotypes (MSG227-2, MSE192-8Rus, Jacqueline Lee, Liberator, and Snowden) in response to a factorial combination of three N levels (200 kg N ha^-1, 300 kg N ha^-1-, and 400 kg N ha^-1) and two seedpiece spacings, narrow (0.20 m or 0.25 m) and wide (0.33 m or 0.38 m). Narrow seedpiece spacing consistently produced the highest U.S. No. 1 yields in all genotypes tested (37 and 34 t ha^-1, narrow vs wide spacing, respectively). There was a tradeoff between seedpiece spacing and N level in 2001 as tuber yields were enhanced by higher N levels at wide seedpiece spacing, but not at narrow spacing. In 2002, tuber yield was not enhanced, but petiole nitrate-N and tuber-N increased as N fertilization increased. Genotype was the major factor that influenced tuber quality characteristics at harvest and for stored tubers (e.g., specific gravity, internal defects, bruising, chip color rating, sucrose, and glucose). Spacing had minimal effects, whereas higher levels of N slightly reduced specific gravity both years, reduced internal defects in 2001 and enhanced sucrose at harvest in 2002. The cultivars tested demonstrated excellent storage characteristics for different N fertility levels and seedpiece spacing combinations. Overall, the recommended N fertilizer level for moderately long-duration potato cultivars in Michigan (200 kg N ha^-1) and a narrow seedpiece spacing optimized yield and tuber quality performance while conserving N fertilizer.     

Threshold sugar concentrations in snowden potatoes during storage

The suitability of potatoes for processing into potato chips is dependent on chip color, and internal and external defects. Concentrations of reducing sugars, and more specifically glucose, have been used as a quantitative indicator of acceptability of potato for chipping. The research reported here investigated the correlation between sugar concentrations and chip color, and the variability of sugar concentrations between samples and sample locations. Three potato storage research bins, each with an independent air handling and control system, were located inside of commercial potato storage bins. Snowden potatoes were harvested in the fall of 1992 and stored at different temperatures in the bins through late March, 1993. The potatoes were sampled bi-weekly during the storage period, and the samples were analyzed for sugar concentrations (sucrose and glucose) using a YSI model 2700 sugar analyzer.¹ The results indicated that a Snowden potato sample with a glucose concentration less than 0.0075%² (fresh weight basis) will have a 90% probability of having an acceptable Snack Food Association color score of 1.5 or lower. Lower numbers indicate whiter chips which are generally preferred by chip producers. Similarly, a sample with a glucose concentration of 0.01% will have a 90% probability of having a color of 2 or lower. Based on tubers sampled from four heights within the storage bins, samples from the top of a potato bin will provide a representative sample as long as recommended storage procedures are followed, and potato pulp temperatures are similar throughout the storage.     

Effect and interaction of crop management factors on the glycoalkaloid concentration of potato tubers

Summary Potato tuber glycoalkaloid content was measured in response to nitrogen fertilizer rate, storage temperature, length of storage period and cultivar. Cvs Gemchip, Norchip and Russet Burbank were grown with applied nitrogen fertilizer rates of 0, 168 or 336 kg/ha and then stored at either 4.4 or 10°C. Total glycoalkaloid content was determined one month before harvest, at harvest, after three months of storage and after nine months of storage. Higher rates of nitrogen, higher storage temperature and a period of storage all resulted in significantly (P<0.05) higher concentration of glycoalkaloids. The cv Norchip had higher glycoalkaloids than cvs Gemchip or Russet Burbank. Only the storage period had more influence than the environment (difference between years). Significant (P<0.05) two-way interactions were detected for year x cultivar, year x nitrogen, storage period x cultivar and nitrogen x cultivar. Most interactions were due to the unique responses of cultivars.