Relevance of immature tuber periderm to high commercial peeling losses

Cell wall composition and histological distinctions between immature and mature periderm are reviewed. The structural characteristics of the periderm of immature tubers vitiate economic peeling. Continuous sloughing and replacement of periderm, occurring with rapid enlargement of Russet Burbank tubers, creates large unsuberized surface areas particularly susceptible to deep penetration of hot caustic and consequent pitting of tubers. The fully developed russetted net of mature periderm is well suberized and holds the caustic so it does not deeply penetrate. Improved crop management and harvest practices could eliminate excessive peel loss due to immature periderm.