Thesis (MSc) - Cyprus International University. Institute of Graduate Studies and Research Plant Scıences and Technologies Department

Includes bibliography (sheets 41-49)

ABSTRACT
Potato is a well-known tuberous plant that its storage is a necessity especially in
commercial scale productions. A greater percentage of post-harvest losses in the
potato value chain has been experienced and recorded during storage by many
researchers, thus this research is also designed to evaluate the behavior of three potato
cultivars in TRNC at different storage conditions. Giving the fact that different potato
cultivars behave differently under different storage conditions, thus it is important to
determine which potato cultivar as well as in which storage condition stores for
longer period while maintaining its quality. Three potato cultivars (Spunta, Asterix
and Alverstone Russette) were stored under 3 different temperature conditions and
in different time frame. The samples were evaluated for weight loss, degree of
firmness, average sprout per tuber and disease, sugar content. Data was analyzed by
using SPSS at 0.5 significant level. The results showed a significant difference in
firmness with respect to time, cultivar, and temperature. Firmness generally
decreased with time for all cultivars in all storage conditions but the minimum mean
firmness (8.381kg/cm2
) was seen in Spunta while the highest mean firmness
(9.781kg/cm2
) was seen in Asterix The degree of firmness with respect to
temperature as in the results could be represented as 40C >220C>180C. For sugar
content, it increased with time for all storage conditions with significant differences
seen at single, double, and triple interactions. Alverstone was seen to have the highest
TSS throughout storage with a mean of 4.8750Brix followed by Asterix 4.6470 Brix
and lastly Spunta 4.5470 Brix. Sugar content was seen to decrease with increasing
temperature. Percentage (%) weight loss was also seen to increase with time with
significant differences at all levels of interaction. Asterix posted the highest weight
loss with a mean weight loss % of 17.42% followed by Alverstone (8.08%) and lastly
Spunta (5.83%). The differences with respect to temperature could be represented as
180C >40C>220C. Asterix at 180C showed the highest number of average sprout (8
sprout per tuber) as compared to Spunta with 3 sprout per tuber and Alverstone with
2 sprout per tuber at the end of storage. Alverstone was seen to have the longest
dormancy period. In all storage condition though with some deviations, Spunta
showed a better performance followed by Asterix and lastly Alverstone when
considering storing potato especially for processing purpose.
Keyword: Cultivars, Post-harvest losses, Potato storage, Temperature condition