Wound Healing in Potatoes (Triumph Variety) as Influenced by Type of Injury, Nature of Initial Exposure, and Storage Conditions

Authors

H. O. WernerFollow

Date of this Version

7-1938

Document Type

Article

Citation

Werner, H.O. (1938) Wound healing in potatoes (Triumph variety) as influenced by type of injury, nature of initial exposure, and storage conditions (Research Bulletin: Bulletin of the Agricultural Experiment Station of Nebraska No. 102)

Comments

ISSN 0097-1433

Abstract

Tubers of the Triumph variety of potatoes, the one most extensively grown in western Nebraska, are more susceptible than those of other varieties to the various types of injury that occur at harvest time. This greater susceptibility is chiefly the result of long stolons, unusual tenderness of skin, and ease with which the tubers crack. The two latter characteristics have been accentuated by the custom of late planting adopted generally throughout the region in recent years. Many of the difficulties could be avoided by growing another variety. However, as there now seems to be no other variety as well adapted to the growing conditions of the region and because of the established special market for seed and table use over a wide area it is inadvisable to consider a change to any other variety. Thus for the near future and possibly for a considerable period of time the most logical procedure is to use methods by which such damage will be avoided. Much progress has been made in this direction, but serious damage is frequently unavoidable because of uncontrollable atmospheric and soil conditions just previous to and during digging time. It is to the advantage of the grower to salvage these damaged tubers as best he can in order to be able to market them as a lower grade or to hold them over till planting time as seed potatoes for his own use. In order to do this intelligently it is desirable to know the extent to which field exposure of wounded potatoes will influence the rate of wound healing. It is also desirable to know the extent to which the healing process is inhibited or expedited by different types of storage conditions which might be provided when tubers have suffered different types of wounds.