METABOLISM OF SOLANINE AND CHLOROPHYLL IN POTATO TUBERS AS AFFECTED BY LIGHT AND SPECIFIC CHEMICALS

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Abstract
SUMMARY— Chlorophyll and solanine syntheses as affected by cultivars, specific gravities, light intensities, and chemicals were studied in potato (Solanum tuberosum, L.) tubers. When exposed to 100 ft‐c of while fluorescent light for 5 days, tubers of Bounty, Kennebec, Norchip and Red Lasoda were most sensitive to greening and solanine development. LaChipper and Platte tubers were resistant to the light effects. Chlorophyll synthesis was inversely related to specific gravity of tubers, while specific gravity did not affect solanine synthesis. The chlorophyll content of tubers exposed to 50 ft‐c and 200 ft‐c was significantly less than that of tubers exposed to 100 ft‐c and 150 ft‐c light intensities. The solanine synthesis was not influenced by the light intensities studied. Chemicals were applied at a concentration of 10,000 ppm by vacuum injection technique. Ethrel® and Alar® were effective in inhibiting chlorophyll and solanine formation. Ethrel was more effective in retarding the chlorophyll formation and alar was most effective in preventing solanine formation. Maleic hydrazide MH®‐30 and Cyocel® were ineffective in controlling both chlorophyll and solanine formation.