Influence of relative humidity on weight loss in potato tubers stored at high temperature

Weight loss was determined in tubers of two varieties viz. Kufri Chandramukhi and Kufri Jyoti grown at Modipuram and Shimla and stored at three relative humidity (RH) levels of 30–35%, 60–65% and 90–95% with temperature maintained at 28–30°C. In dormant tubers, the weight loss was higher at 30–35% RH but once the dormancy was broken and sprout growth started, higher RH level favoured greater sprout growth leading to higher weight loss. The weight loss was more in tubers with uncured skin. Weight loss showed a non-significant relationship with number of sprouts per tuber, length of the longest sprout, surface area of tubers and periderm thickness.