Physiological weight loss in potatoes under non-refrigerated storage: Contribution of respiration and transpiration*

Cured potatoes often cultivars were stored in an ambient temperature store(l3-38°C and 20–89% RH) for a period of 16 weeks and fortnightly observations on physiological weight loss. sprouting and rate of respiration were recorded. Highest weight loss was recorded in Kufri Sherpa (25.9%) and lowest in Kufri Lalima (14.8%) upto 16 weeks. All cultivars except Kufri Sherpa and Kufri Bahar could be stored upto 10 weeks without much deterioration in physical appearance. Respiration rate which ranged between 4.5–8.6 mg CO₂ kg^l h⁻¹ in different cultivars at the time of storage increased by 58.5% between 4–8 weeks with the onset of sprouting. Values further increased by 4–5 folds upto 16 weeks of storage with increased sprout growth. Contribution of respiratoty carbon loss to total weight loss was slight (3.566.07%). Transpiration was the major source of weight loss during storage. Non significant correlation between weight loss and respiration rate showed that differences in weight loss among the cultivars were not due to variation in respiration rate which was found to be independent of maturity and dormancy period of cultivar.