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Influence of Maleic Hydrazide on Yield and Sugars in Atlantic, Freedom Russet and White Pearl Potato Tubers

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Abstract

Maleic hydrazide has been reported to increase the proportion of US #1 (> 113 g) potatoes and lower the concentration of reducing sugars of potato tubers in storage, thus improving fry color. We tested the effect of three different application timings of maleic hydrazide on total and US #1 yields, average tuber weight, “b” and cull yields, and tuber glucose and sucrose concentrations at harvest and after storage. The cultivars evaluated included two round white potatoes, Atlantic and White Pearl, and one russeted cultivar, Freedom Russet. Maleic hydrazide had no effect on total yield or US #1 yield for either round white cultivar, but increased both total and US #1 yield for Freedom Russet. In addition, maleic hydrazide reduced average tuber weight for Atlantic. These yield effects were dependent on application timing. Maleic hydrazide had no effect on yield of cull tubers. Maleic hydrazide did not lower glucose or sucrose concentrations at harvest or during storage for any of the cultivars tested, and increased Atlantic tuber glucose concentration at harvest. In summary, the effect of maleic hydrazide on yield was cultivar-dependent and maleic hydrazide did not reduce tuber glucose concentrations for any cultivar tested.

Resumen

Se ha reportado que la hidrazida maleica incrementa la porción de papa US # 1 (> 113 g) y baja la concentración de azúcares reductores en los tubérculos almacenados, mejorando así el color de la fritura. Nosotros probamos el efecto de tres diferentes momentos de aplicación de hidrazida maleica sobre el rendimiento total de US # 1, peso promedio de tubérculo, rendimiento de tubérculos “b” y de desecho, y concentración de glucosa y sacarosa en el tubérculo a la cosecha y después del almacenamiento. Los cultivares evaluados incluyeron dos de papa redonda blanca: Atlantic y White Pearl y un cultivar rugoso el Freedom Russet. La hidrazida maleica no tuvo efecto sobre el rendimiento total de US # 1 de ninguno de los cultivares redondos blancos, pero incrementó tanto el rendimiento total y de US # 1 de Freedom Russet. Además, la hidrazida maleica redujo el peso promedio del tubérculo de Atlantic. Estos efectos sobre el rendimiento dependieron del momento de aplicación. La hidrazida maleica no tuvo efecto sobre el rendimiento de tubérculos de desecho, tampoco bajó las concentraciones de glucosa y sacarosa a la cosecha o durante el almacenamiento en ninguno de los cultivares probados e incrementó la concentración de glucosa en los tubérculos de Atlantic al momento de la cosecha. En resumen, el efecto de la hidrazida meleica sobre el rendimiento dependió del cultivar y no redujo las concentraciones de glucosa de ningún cultivar probado.

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Acknowledgements

We appreciate support for this research from Chemtura Inc. and the Wisconsin Potato and Vegetable Growers Association.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Horticulture, University of Wisconsin–Madison, 1575 Linden Dr., Madison, WI, 53706, USA

    Robert P. Sabba, Michael J. Drilias & Alvin J. Bussan

  2. Spooner Agricultural Research Station, University of Wisconsin, W6646 Highway 70, Spooner, WI, 54801, USA

    Phil Holman

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  1. Robert P. Sabba
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  2. Phil Holman
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  3. Michael J. Drilias
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  4. Alvin J. Bussan
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Correspondence to Alvin J. Bussan.

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Sabba, R.P., Holman, P., Drilias, M.J. et al. Influence of Maleic Hydrazide on Yield and Sugars in Atlantic, Freedom Russet and White Pearl Potato Tubers. Am. J. Pot Res 86, 272–277 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12230-009-9080-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12230-009-9080-4

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