| Abstract Detail
Physiology Olsen, Nora [1], Brandt, Tina [2]. The influence of retail light source on greening of potato tubers. THE use of accent lighting in retail stores has focused illumination on potatoes for greater consumer awareness. Unfortunately, this directed light on displayed potatoes may impact the rate or level of tuber greening. The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of various retail accent light sources on greening and quality of illuminated tubers. Two separate and repeated tests exposed ‘Russet Burbank’ potatoes to fiber optic (FO), ceramic metal halide (CMH), fluorescent (FL), fluorescent with filter (FLF) lighting (test 1) and fiber optic, halogen (HAL), and fluorescent (FLP) lighting (test 2). Potatoes were exposed to a consistent light intensity (11.6 lux) and each test contained a dark control. Tubers were illuminated for 22 hours per day at ambient room temperature of 22C. Six randomly selected tubers were evaluated for level of greening, chlorophyll concentration, and weight loss at day 0, 2, 4, 7, and 9. In test 1, the FO, FL, and FLF illuminated tubers showed a significantly slower development of chlorophyll content over time compared to the CMH light source. There was no significant difference in the rate of chlorophyll accumulation between the FL light source and FLF. In test 2, the FO illuminated tubers accumulated chlorophyll at a slower rate compared to the HAL illuminated tubers. Unlike the differences between treatments in the rate of chlorophyll accumulation, there were no significant differences in the rate of visual greening over time (9 days) between treatments in both test 1 and 2. Although the rate of greening was not significantly different between light source treatments, significant differences were observed between treatments on individual days. The use of FO lighting or a combination of FO lighting with standard fluorescent lighting would retard the progression of greening in the retail store yet highlight the commodity for consumer eye-appeal.
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Related Links:
Idaho Center for Potato Research and Education
1 - University of Idaho, Plant, Soils and Entomological Sciences, Twin Falls R & E Center, PO Box 1827, Twin Falls, ID, 83303, USA
2 - University of Idaho, Plant, Soils and Entomological Sciences, Kimberly R & E Center, 3793 N 3600 E, Kimberly, ID, 83341, USA
Keywords:
greening
chlorophyll
fiber optic
halogen
ceramic metal halide
fluorescent
lighting.
Session: PAA04a-5
Location: Hall of Ideas Room F/Monona Terrace
Date: Monday, July 24th, 2006
Time: 2:30 PM
Abstract ID:105 |
