Effect of Low Temperature Storage on the Quality Characteristics of Table Potato Cultivar, ‘Yumeikoro’

Abstract

Potato production in Hokkaido is important not only for the development of potato industries but also for the stable food supply in Japan. The spread of potato cyst nematode, Globodera Rostochiensis (Gr), has been a threat to the stable potato production in Hokkaido. In 2022, a new Gr-resistant table use potato cultivar, ‘Yumeikoro’ was developed by the Hokkaido Research Organization, as a measure to limit the spread of Gr. ‘Yumeikoro’ is expected to replace the existing main table use potato cultivar, ‘Irish Cobbler’, which is susceptible to Gr, mainly in the areas infected with Gr in Hokkaido, and contribute to the stabilization of Hokkaido potato production. In this study, we evaluated the eating quality and storability of ‘Yumeikoro’ before and after storage at low temperatures, and clarified the differences between ‘Yumeikoro’ and the other table use cultivars, ‘Irish Cobbler’, ‘May Queen’ and ‘Kitakamui’. The eating quality of ‘Yumeikoro’ after low-temperature storage was closer to that of ‘Irish Cobbler’ than that of ‘May Queen’ and ‘Kitakamui’. Furthermore, the sprout length of ‘Yumeikoro’ during low-temperature storage was shorter than that of ‘Irish Cobbler’, suggesting that ‘Yumeikoro’ has superior storability. The results of this study will help to promote appropriate processing and storage management and enhance the production of ‘Yumeikoro’.