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The influence of temperature on weight loss from stored onion bulbs due to desiccation, respiration and sprouting
Author(s) -
WARD C. M.
Publication year - 1976
Publication title -
annals of applied biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.677
H-Index - 80
eISSN - 1744-7348
pISSN - 0003-4746
DOI - 10.1111/j.1744-7348.1976.tb01703.x
Subject(s) - sprouting , desiccation , biology , respiration , horticulture , weight loss , botany , zoology , obesity , endocrinology
SUMMARY When onion bulbs were stored for 9 months at 2, 7.5, 15 or 25 °C and 70% r.h., the losses due to desiccation increased with temperature but less than 20 % was due to respiration at any of the storage temperatures. Respiration rates of onion bulbs transferred from 2 to 25 °C were higher from February onwards than those of bulbs stored continuously at 25 °C. Conversely, bulbs transferred from 25 to 2 °C respired less from February onwards than those kept at 2 °C. Sprouting, at the final assessment in June, was highest at 15 and 7.5 °C and lowest at 2 °C. Total weight loss was above 45 % in all the storage treatments except at 2 °C (12%). Storage at 7.5 °C is suitable until March but long‐term storage until June requires low temperatures.