摘要
Ethylene was tested as a sprout inhibitor on potatoes intended for processing over the 2006-2007 and the 2007-2008 storage seasons. Russet Burbank, Shepody, Innovator, FL-1867, and FL-1833 were loaded into the University of Maine potato research facility in October of 2006. Ethylene gas was metered into the storage until a concentration of 0.1 ppm was reached and then held for one week. At weekly intervals, the ethylene concentration was increased to 0.3 ppm, 0.6 ppm, 12 ppm, 5.0 ppm and 102 ppm. Subsequently, the concentration was maintained at 10.0 ppm for the duration of the storage season. Control potatoes received chlorpropham （CIPC） for sprout control. The trial was repeated in the 2007-2008 storage season. The Agtron readings were performed on the processed potatoes at the end of the storage season. There was no difference in the US color grade between the CIPC-treated and ethylene-treated tubers within any tested variety in either storage season. Sprout inhibition of the ethylene-treated potatoes was acceptable for normal storage length of the potato varieties tested. Ethylene may have promise as an alternate to CIPC for sprout control in potato storages.
