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Effects of treating seed potatoes with trace elements on sprouting and microbial spoilage during storage under tropical conditions
Author(s) -
SHASHIREKHA M. N.,
NARASIMHAM P.
Publication year - 1990
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.1744-7348.1990.tb04830.x
Subject(s) - biology , food spoilage , sprouting , fusarium oxysporum , horticulture , ferrous , agronomy , food science , bacteria , chemistry , genetics , organic chemistry
Summary Attempts were made to extend the storage life of seed potatoes by treating them with trace elements as antimicrobial and antisprouting agents. In tests to measure the growth of Fusarium oxysporum , and Erwinia carotovora pv. carotovora it was found to be decreased more by iron, copper and zinc than by boron, manganese and molybdenum. Dipping seed tubers in aqueous solutions of trace element salts decreased both sprouting and microbial spoilage during storage at ambient conditions. Field testing at the end of storage proved that treating seed potatoes with ferrous sulphate did not decrease the yield of tubers or increase their iron content. It is suggested that trace elements may be used to extend the storage life of seed potato tubers, in tropical conditions.