Potato and Tuber Crops

Storage

• Storage temperature and exposure of tubers to light strongly influence sprout growth and the resulting vigour of seed tubers.
• Sprouts occur on tubers stored at temperatures higher than about 4 °C.
• Excessive sprout growth causes dehydration of the tubers and reduces the vigour of the crop grown from them.
• Light retards sprout growth, and potatoes that are stored in light develop green sprouts that are much shorter and sturdier than sprouts on tubers stored in the dark.
• Consequently, storing seed tubers in light can compensate for some of the negative effects of high storage temperatures.
• The storage life of potatoes held without refrigeration can be prolonged by exposing them to light.
• Light storage cannot, however, be used for consumer potatoes, since greening makes them taste bitter.