A Study on Measuring Method for Potato Tuber Enlargement

——Finding an Appropriate Measurement Method and Developing Measurement Devices——

Abstract

In order to contribute in improving the efficiency of potato production, a non-destructive method which measures the growth of tuber, continuously, was examined. The measurement had two methods which were compared;the rst was to measure the diameter;while the second was to measure the circumference. Results showed the possibility to estimate the mass of tuber accurately using both methods. The requirement, therefore, is to measure the length between the two ends of the potato. However, considering the problem of irregularities caused by the stems, measuring the circumference was found more appropriate. Therefore, a device which measures the circumference was developed and tested. It was able to estimate the tuber circumference from the early stage until full the growth is completed with stability.