More black heart in potatoes held at low temperature and air storage

Blackheart (BH) is a physiological disorder of potato tubers that is usually associated with oxygen depletion and/or carbon dioxide accumulation. This study investigated changes in respiration rate of potato tubers during storage and the possible link with incidence of blackheart. Three consignments of Maris Piper potato tubers, which had different susceptibility to blackheart disorder, were initially stored in air at 1.5?C or 3?C for 6 months. At regular sampling points tuber sub - samples were transferred to 15?C in air (O2=21%) or controlled atmosphere (CA) (O2=18 -19%, CO2=10%).Assessments were made after 0, 3 and 7 days. The respiration rate differed between those tubers that were either susceptible or not susceptible to BH. The highest respiration rates were recorded for tubers that were initially stored at the lowest temperature (1.5?C). Tubers that had been held under CA conditions produced greater amounts of CO2 than those stored in air only. The incidence of BH was greater for those tubers that had been stored in air compared to those held under CA and was also higher for tubers that were initially stored at 1.5?C compared to those at 3?C. Although the findings are in accordance with the assumption that respiration rate of stored potato tubers is associated with incidence and severity of physiological disorder, research is ongoing to identify and establish pre ? symptomatic biochemical biomarkers to better understand the underlying mechanisms associated with blackheart disorder. SourcesSTORAGE TEMPERATURE AND SIMULATED SHELF -LIFE CONDITIONS INFLUENCE RESPIRATION RATE AND INCIDENCE OF BLACKHEART DISORDER IN POTATOESKiaitsi, E.(*) and Terry, L.A. e.kiaitsi@cranfield.ac.ukPlant Science Laboratory, Cranfield University, Bedfordshire, MK43 0AL UKCA MA 2013, XI International Controlled & Modified Atmosphere Research Conference, Trani (Italy), 3-7 June 2013 The picture is by potato.org.uk