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Enhanced prediction of susceptibility to mechanical damage
Summary
At the start of the project it was known that cells in damaged tubers generate a burst of highly reactive molecules known as free radicals- the more susceptible tubers are to bruising the more free radicals are produced. This information was the basis for developing a test to predict bruising susceptibility. A kit was produced including hardware (an impactor and a corer) to initiate the production of free radicals and bottles containing reagents to indicate the amount of free radicals produced.
Field studies were carried out using the kit to test how bruising susceptibility varied between fields and at different locations within fields. Work was carried out to relate the results obtained using the kit with those from commercial assessments of tuber damage. Feedback on the kit was provided by commercial partners on the project. It was concluded that the impactor was easy to use, but that the time and hygiene levels needed to carry out the work with the chemical reagents were limitations to the widespread adoption of the kit by industry.
Sector:
Potatoes
Project code:
807/240
Date:
31 March 2003 - 28 February 2006
Funders:
Durham University
Project leader:
Dr Ron Croy
Downloads
807240 Report 2007 Final Version EDITEDAbout this project
To develop a sensitive, rapid chemical test for detecting susceptibility to blackspot bruising in field grown and in stored tuber material.