Dynamic Field Assessment of Canopy Development and Periderm Maturation in Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.)

Authors: BUCKLEY, CONNOR - Washington State University; Gonzalez Tapia, Francisco; Navarre, Duroy; BLAUER, JACOB - Washington State University

Submitted to: Plants
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 9/2/2025
Publication Date: 9/5/2025
Citation: Buckley, C.L., Gonzalez Tapia, F., Navarre, D.A., Blauer, J.M. 2025. Dynamic Field Assessment of Canopy Development and Periderm Maturation in Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.). Plants. https://doi.org/10.3390/plants14172780.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/plants14172780

Interpretive Summary: Potato tubers develop a protective skin, called the periderm, which helps prevent damage and disease during harvest, handling, and storage. This study tracked the formation and strengthening of the skin over time in three widely grown potato varieties: Alturas, Clearwater Russet, and Russet Burbank, under typical field conditions. Researchers measured plant growth, yield, and changes in the skin’s thickness and strength from early development until the plants were killed at the end of the season. They found that while the outer skin layers mainly were formed by around 100 days after planting, the skin continued to strengthen right up to harvest. Alturas stood out for producing more tubers with stronger skin, indicating that genetics plays a significant role. These results are beneficial for potato growers and breeders seeking to minimize skinning damage, particularly in early-harvest systems, and can aid in enhancing storage quality and reducing waste throughout the supply chain.

Technical Abstract: Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) periderm development is crucial for tuber protection, postharvest quality, and marketability. While previous studies have explored periderm characteristics during tuber maturation or storage, limited information exists on its anatomical and mechanical progression during active field growth. This study assessed canopy development, yield components, and periderm properties in three processing cultivars, Alturas, Clearwater Russet, and Russet Burbank, from tuber initiation through vine kill under field conditions. Alturas yielded significantly greater total biomass and tubers, with correspondingly higher periderm shear strength, highlighting genetic differences among cultivars. Microscopic analysis revealed that phellem thickness was typically established by approximately 100 days after planting (DAP), while mechanical strength continued to increase until vine kill, indicating reinforcement processes occur after initial anatomical development. The number of phellem layers was cultivar-specific, and periderm strength at 50% harvest index (HI) served as a reliable marker for skin set in early-harvest systems. These findings provide valuable insights into the timing and genetic variation of periderm formation, with practical implications for breeding and management that aim to reduce mechanical damage and enhance storage performance.