Respiration and sugar content of potato tubers as influenced by storage temperature

Tubers of Russet Burbank, Kennebec, Targhee, Pioneer, Norchip and Aberdeen selection A68678-1 were stored at 95% relative humidity and at 1.7, 4.4, 5.8, 7.2 or 10°C (35, 40, 42.5, 45 or 50°F). The rate of CO2 release by whole tubers was measured weekly November through May. For all varieties except Norchip, CO2 evolution during the first months of storage was generally lowest at 7.2°C (45°F) and higher at the other temperatures studied. At all temperatures at which sprouting occurred, CO2 evolution increased substantially following sprout initiation, again excepting Norchip. Neither total nor reducing sugars correlated with rates of whole tuber CO2 evolution.