ARS | Publication request: FACTORS ATTRIBUTING TO SKIN-SET (WOUND HEALING)

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: February 11, 1997
Publication Date: N/A

Technical Abstract: Resistance to skinning injuries and rapid wound healing are the key factors in reducing disease and other defect problems in stored potatoes. A practical technique has been developed to measure skin-set for use in screening breeding selections, determining periderm maturity for harvest and assessing the effect of cultural practices on skin-set development. Although the need for rapid wound healing is recognized, it has not been clear how suberization provides resistance to bacterial (soft rot) and fungal (dry rot) penetration and consequently how to improve wound healing. Some of these questions/issues are being addressed to explain why resistance to soft rot and dry rot do not develop at the same time during suberization. We found that pressure bruised areas sustain injuries to the periderm and adjoining tuber flesh which subsequently suberize poorly or not at all. Lack of suberization results in moisture loss through the pressure bruised area and increased susceptibility to development of defects.