Ultrastructural changes in tubers of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) affected by rust spot

Summary The medullary tissues of potato tubers affected by rust spot were embedded in resin, sectioned and stained for optical and electron microscopy. Under the optical microscope, the damaged zones were seen to have thickened and suberized cell walls, with cells partially or totally lacking starch. These features were confirmed by electron microscopy which revealed in relief the cell wall deformation and the characteristic presence, in the vacuole, of osmiophilic granules with a spongy appearance attached to the tonoplast, probable catabolic products of a disturbed metabolism. Separation and degeneration of the plasmalemma and the death of the cells were observed in tissues in the final stages of damage.     

Changes in ascorbic acid content during growth and short-term storage of potato tubers (Solanum tuberosum L.)

Changes in ascorbic acid levels were followed in apical and basal portions of Russet Burbank and Kennebec tubers during growth and development. Influence of nitrogen fertilization during growth and short-term storage on ascorbic acid level of the tuber was also studied. Changes in ascorbic acid content during growth showed two distinct phases, the first phase being characterized by an increase in ascorbic acid content with growth and development of the tuber, followed by a second phase which showed a decrease in ascorbic acid content with increasing maturity. The shift from the first phase to the second phase occurred earlier for Kennebec than for Russet Burbank. Increased nitrogen fertilization resulted in a delay of this shift from the first to the second phase. The apical portion of the tuber consistently showed higher ascorbic acid content than the basal portion. Kennebec tubers were higher in vitamin C content than tubers of Russet Burbank cultivar. High nitrogen fertilization resulted in less ascorbic acid content during growth. Storage of tubers for four weeks at 5.5°C also resulted in a marked decrease in ascorbic acid content of tubers. Nitrogen fertilizer rate during growth had no influence on the decrease in ascorbic acid content of tubers in storage.     

A Kunitz-type proteinase inhibitor with differential solubility during the development of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) tubers

Summary Two potato (Solanum tuberosum L., cv. Irish Cobbler) Kunitz-type proteinase inhibitors (PKPI) were previously described to be present in the soluble fraction of proteins from tubers in the early stages of development. One of them became insoluble in mature tubers, being extractable from this material in presence of urea. Amino acid sequencing showed that the soluble and insoluble PKPI were identical to each other. Also, immunolocalization using the protein A-gold method showed that both proteins were present inside the vacuole in free (intravacuolar space) and aggregated forms. The density of PKPI in the vacuolar protein aggregates increased from developing to mature tubers. showing that the soluble-insoluble state of this protein is related to the aggregation levels. Purified PKPI precipitated in vitro. mainly in presence of high calcium concentrations and low pH, but this precipitated form was not as stable as aggregates found in vivo. Based on the results obtained, a model of PKPI insolubilization in vivo is discussed.     

Susceptibility of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) foliage and tubers to the US8 genotype ofPhytophthora infestans

Late blight is an important disease of potato(Solanum tuberosum L.) worldwide, and therefore, many potato-breeding programs have prioritized the development of late blight-resistant potato cultivars. Although the emphasis has been to enhance foliar resistance, it is also necessary to evaluate tuber late blight resistance in new breeding lines and new sources of late blight resistance. We report here on the assessment of foliar and tuber resistance and the correlation between these aspects of resistance in a sample of Michigan State University potato breeding lines. Two MSU breeding lines had significantly less infected foliage than the susceptible check cultivars. Tuber susceptibility was significantly different (P < 0.05) only between the most susceptible and the least susceptible breeding lines/cultivars. Foliar and tuber susceptibility to potato late blight were not correlated as low tuber susceptibility was associated both with extremely low (e.g., MSG274-3) and high (e.g., MSE202-3Rus) foliar susceptibility.     

Effect of sprout inhibitors on potato tubers (Solanum tuberosum L.) stored at ambient or reduced temperatures

Summary Single and combined applications of three sprout inhibitors, maleic hydrazide (MH), isopropyl 3-chlorophenylcarbamate (CIPC) and isopropyl phenylcarbamate (IPC) mixed with CIPC in a commercial formulation coded AMK (Tixit-C, Sandoz, S.A.E., Barcelona, Spain; 2.0% IPC +0.7% CIPC) were tested on potatoes stored from March to June under ambient conditions (20–30°C, 30–80% RH), and in a store with passive evaporative cooling (16–30°C, 75–95% RH). All treatments were more effective in reducing physiological losses, sprouting, and sprout growth in the cool than in the ambient store. AMK, CIPC and MH+AMK caused most sprout suppression. All treatments increased tuber rotting but there were no significant differences in numbers rotted by MH, MH+CIPC, CIPC (single treatment) and the untreated control. Nevertheless, the treatments can usefully extend storage life of potatoes under non-refrigerated conditions.     

Winter and summer performance of potato (Solanum tuberosum) in isohyperthermic regimes

Potato production in isohyperthermic temperature regimes (mean annual soil temperature higher than 22°C) has been considered impractical physiologically and economically. However, recent experiments with potatoes (var. Kennebec) on a clayey, kaolinitic, isohyperthermic Tropeptic Eutrustox of Hawaii during the winters of 1980 and 1981 and the summer of 1980, indicate that although seasonal variation in the tropics is minimal when compared to temperate regions, there is enough of a distinction in temperature that potato production is possible and favored during the cooler winter months. Soil temperatures, measured at 20-cm depth, in irrigated plots range from 18 to 20°C in winter and 24 to 26°C in summer. Tuber initiation in winter and summer began at 40 and 55 days after planting, respectively. Maturity was delayed by 20 days in summer. Yields in irrigated plots were 36,000 in winter and 25,000 kg/ha in summer; in nonirrigated plots, yields were 14,600 in winter and 7,900 kg/ha in summer. Nutrient uptake and water and energy use were less efficient in summer. The results indicated that winter is the most suitable season for potato production in the warm tropics.     

Photo-induced changes in the concentrations of individual chlorogenic acid isomers in potato (Solanum tuberosum) tubers and their complexation with ferric ions

Summary Changes in the concentrations of 3-, 4- and 5-caffeoylquinic acids in potato tubers exposed to light have been determined by high-performance liquid chromatography. In the first 24 to 48 hours the observed increases in total chlorogenic acid content was due primarily to an increase in 5-caffeoylquinic acid content but thereafter the rate of accumulation of the other isomers increased gradually. After 24 hours exposure 4-caffeoylquinic acid accounted for 10% of the total chlorogenic acid content of the tubers compared with 33% after 168 hours. The significance of this change in isomeric ratio on the spectral characteristics of potential ferrichlorogenic acid complexes was investigated in vitro. It was concluded that potato quality, as reflected in the development of after-cooking blackening, was dependent on total chlorogenic acid content and was unaffected by the relative concentrations of the individual isomers.     

Improved diagnosis of powdery scab (Spongospora subterranea f.sp.subterranea) symptoms on potato tubers (Solanum tuberosum L.)

Summary Based on visual inspection, discrimination between common scab (Streptomyces spp.) and powdery scab (Spongospora subterranea) can be difficult. Inspections are performed on unwashed samples, incidentally supported by microscopic examination. During 1994–1996 surveys were performed in The Netherlands on tubers with symptoms resembling common scab. Under microscopic assessment nearly all samples showed the presence of structures resembling cystosori (sporeballs) ofS. subterranea. At that time confirmation using alternative techniques was not possible. In 2003 research was undertaken to clarify the situation with respect to scab on potato tubers in The Netherlands. One hundred and eighteen scab samples were extensively tested forS. subterranea. All samples were digitally photographed, microscopically examinated and tested with real-time PCR and DAS-ELISA. Use of these modern methods resulted in a clear picture of symptoms that can be attributed toS. subterranea. A lot of scab samples with structures resembling cystosori could not be confirmed as contaminated withS. subterranea.     

Possible mechanisms of size hierarchy among tubers on one stem of a potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) plant

Summary The tubers on one potato stem vary greatly in size and their size distribution may be described by their number and their average size and its variation. These components are mutually and closely related. The variation is partly caused by stolon characteristics, including their date of initiation, position and size. Tuber size is therefore partly determined before tuberization. Tuber-specific factors, such as the position and activity of the tuber initial also play a role, but the date of initiation of an individual tuber is not crucial. Later on, during tuber bulking, the activity of enzymes involved in starch metabolism, the levels of hormones, the mineral composition and the turgor potential are associated with the tuber growth rate. The growth characteristics of individual tubers may also vary since they are exposed to different conditions because of differences in position or growing period.     

Effects of temperature and photoperiod on early growth and final number of tubers in potato (Solanum tuberosum L.)

Summary A phytotron experiment with all combinations of two photoperiod (12 or 18 h) and four temperature (18/12, 22/16, 26/20 or 30/24 °C; 12h/12h) treatments was carried out to analyse quantitative effects on early tuber growth, dry-matter partitioning and number of tubers of two cultivars. Higher temperatures and longer photoperiod delayed the onset of expolinear tuber growth and the onset of linear tuber bulking. Higher temperatures also gave lower absolute tuber growth rates. Photoperiod did not affect absolute tuber growth rate at lower temperatures. Higher temperature and longer photoperiod gave lower relative rates of partitioning of dry matter to the tubers. Differences between treatments in numbers of tubers initiated were inconsistent. This quantitative analysis of the effects of temperature and photoperiod on characteristics of tuber growth should prove useful in potato modelling.     

Influence of bud position on the formation of tubers on multiple node cuttings of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.)

Summary Stem cuttings with variable number and position of leaves and variable number and age of buds were used to study the preference of tuberization at certain buds when several potential tuber sites were present. These cuttings were exposed to different orientations of the cuttings themselves and/or their light source. Inverting the cuttings did not affect overall tuberization, but had significant effects on individual buds, probably by the interaction between the original basipetal patterns in the cuttings and gravity effects. A smaller angle to the horizontal and lighting from below increased the overall expression of the tuberization stimulus. Leaf and bud position or age affected expression in a complicated manner, but the distance between screened bud and light-exposed leaf was crucial; buds most distant from illuminated leaves showed the strongest induction. The basic pattern of tuberization was basipetal.     

Genotype X environment interactions in potato (Solanum tuberosum L.)

Genotype X environment interactions were estimated for several traits in potato from a combined analysis of 11 genotypes grown at 3 locations for 2 years. Genotype X location X year and Genotype X location interactions were significant for the majority of the traits studied. Yield, reducing sugar content, dry matter content, leaf area, plant height and starch content should be tested over multiple locations and years in order to separate the genotype × environment interaction components from the total genotypic variance.     

Shoot development and flowering in potato (Solanum tuberosum L.)

Summary The shoot system of potato is a configuration of stems with terminal inflorescences. In this review, shoot development is quantified in terms of stem production, while stem development is quantified in terms of leaf and flower primordia production per stem, which are functions of the rates and the durations of primordia initiation. The effect of the position of the stem in the shoot system on number of leaves and flowers per stem is also evaluated. Flowering of individual stems is described by the ‘time to flower primordia initiation’ (expressed in number of leaves produced) and ‘flower production’ (a function of the number and the development of flower primordia). At warmer temperatures and longer daylengths the number of leaves and flower primordia per stem, and the number of stems per shoot increase by prolonging stem production and primordia development. Temperature and photoperiod also affect flower primordia survival by altering assimilate production and partitioning. The photothermal response of the number of leaves per stem is small compared to the response of stem production; at higher temperatures, flower primordia survival becomes the principal factor determining flower production. The similarity of the signals leading to flower primordia initiation and tuberization, and the relation between shoot and tuber growth are discussed.     

Effect of soil water tension and harvest time on levels of infestation byPhoma foveata Foister in soil and on tubers and stems of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) in northern Sweden

Summary The incidence ofP. foveata in soil and tuber samples from field experiments often increased significantly as the harvest season progressed and temperatures fell. Mean levels of tuber and soil infestation were significantly higher in irrigated rows compared with those artificially sheltered from precipitation, both at normal and late harvest dates. Soil infestation was most frequently detected within 10 cm of the parent tuber. No pycnidia were visible on the haulm, and very few latently infected stem segments and leaves were detected using various methods. In three out of four years, the incidence ofP. foveata in tubers after wounding was reduced by washing them gently in tap water immediately after harvest.     

Post-harvest decay of second growth-induced glassy tubers of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) cv. Bintje in relation to their specific gravity

Summary After the induction of second growth, tubers may develop physiological rot following complete starch depletion. Tubers from two crops were graded into specific gravity classes after harvest and the development of decay was monitored during storage for 9 weeks. Most decay took place within the first 5 weeks. Tubers with a specific gravity<1.010 usually decayed completely. About 80% of tubers with a specific gravity>1.020 remained intact. In the specific gravity class 1.010–1.020 more than 50% of the tubers were affected, but they did not all decay completely.