Effects of Irrigation and Heat on Skin Blemishes in Dark Red Norland Potatoes

Abstract

Dark Red Norland is an important potato cultivar in the fresh market in North America mainly due to its attractive red coloured skin type. However, three typical skin blemishes, including surface cracking, silver patch, and russeting, can negatively influence the tuber skin quality and marketability of this cultivar. A three-year field trial was conducted in this project from 2019 to 2021 to study the causes of these skin blemishes. Results showed that irrigation played an important role in Dark Red Norland’s total yield and reduced surface cracking. Tubers grown without irrigation formed more suberized cell layers. Heat stress affected the incidence of silver patch by reducing the total anthocyanin content in tuber skins. More silver patch was found on the downside of the tubers lying in soil. The outcome of this study provides key information and potential strategies to improve tuber skin quality and minimize market loss.