Relative differences in sugar content of basal and apical portions of Russet Burbank potatoes

Abstract

Basal and apical portions of mature and immature Russet Burbank tubers stored at 42 F (5.6 C), 45 F (7.2 C), and 48 F (8.0 C) were analyzed for sucrose and reducing sugars at seven monthly intervals for three seasons. Percent relative difference of reducing sugars (between mature and immature tubers) was greater in the apical than the basal portion. On the other hand, seasonal differences in percent reducing sugars were reflected more in the basal portion by greater relative differences among seasons than in the apical portion. Statistical analysis showed no trend or influence of maturity or storage temperature in affecting the relativeratio of reducing sugars between the basal and apical portions. Differences among growing seasons appeared to affect this ratio. Tubers from the 1970–71 season had more equal relative amounts of sugars in the two portions than did the tubers from 1968–69 or 1969–70 seasons.

Ratio ofsucrose between the basal and apical portions was not affected appreciably by maturity, storage temperature or season, although immaturity and lower storage temperatures caused slightly greater overall sucrose accumulation. Sucrose and reducing sugar contents were poorly correlated regardless of maturity, storage temperature or different seasons.