The Influence of Storage Atmosphere and Temperature on the Physiology and Performance of ‘Russet Burbank’ Seed Potatoes1

Abstract

‘Russet Burbank’ seed potatoes, 4 to 6 oz. in weight, were stored at 0° and 5°C in various levels of O2 and CO2. Periodically during the storage season samples were removed for observation of sprouting behavior, bud and parenchyma tissue respiration measurements and determination of the rate of leakage of electrolytes from tissue sections. The performance of the remaining seed potatoes at the end of storage was evaluated in randomized complete block field trials. The degree of CO2 toxicity was increased by decreasing the O2 concentrations and the temperature of the storage environment. Occasionally a reduction in performance with increases in storage CO2 occurred but more frequently an abrupt drop from good performance to failure resulted. Incipient toxicity during the storage season could occasionally be detected by an increase in the rate of CO2 evolution from potato buds and increase in electrolyte leakage.