Histological Analysis of Wound Healing in Potatoes Treated to Inhibit Sprouting

SUMMARY Isopropyl-N-3-chlorophcnyl carbamate (CIPC) applied as emulsion dips of 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0% concentration totally inhibited wound periderm formation by potato tubers. At these concentrations, CIPC prevented growth of Fusarium sambucinum inoculates except in a few special cases. Some fungal growth occurred in puncture wounds in which trapped air at the time of dip blocked CIPC penetration prior to inoculation. Penetration of CIPC at 1.0 and 2.0% concentrations into coarse puncture wounds killed the tissues, and a rapidly spreading breakdown resembling bacterial soft rot then occurred. Smear preparations of the spoilage material revealed no microscopic evidence of microorganisms. Catechol applied by dipping in solutions of 0.1 and 0.5% had no obvious effect either on wound periderm or fungal growth. Catechol toughened exposed wound surfaces but did not appear to increase suberization deep within puncture wounds. Selected examples of within-tuber variations in wound healing and a brief survey of the histology of wound healing are also presented.