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Studies on some aspects of potato tuber metabolism as affected by fungicides and storage
von Mohamed E ElsayedPotato (Solanum tuberosum L. sp. tuberosum) belongs to Solanaceae or nightshade family, is
a perennial plant commonly grown for its starchy tuber. It is one of the world’s major food
crops, after rice, wheat and corn. Potato originated some 8,000 years ago in high altitude
tropical areas of Peru in the Andes of South America (Messer, 2000). It was taken by the
Spanish to Europe in the 16th century and subsequently spread from Europe to other parts of
the world (FAO, 2006). It is the only major tuber crop grown in temperate regions and it is the
most important tuber crop in terms of production accounting for about 45 % of the total world
production of all tuber crops (Messer, 2000). Furthermore, potato is one of the foremost staple
foods of the world because of its high yield in calories and nutritive value per unit time and
space and it can be used as food and as a cash crop especially in developing countries (Rizza
et al., 2006).
Potato is cultivated under a wider range of altitudes, latitudes and climatic conditions than any
other major food crop (Horton and Anderson, 1992). According to Hijmans (2001), there are
two main peaks in global potato distribution by altitude. The major peak is between 45° N and
57° N and represents potato production zones in the temperate climates, where potato is a
summer crop. The other peak is between 23° N and 34° N and mainly represents production
zones in the subtropical lowlands, where potato is a winter crop. Potato is grown globally
under many different cultural conditions, including arid and semi-arid regions, where soils are
often highly saline due to soluble salts in irrigation water and fertilizers (Kirk et al., 2006). It
also grows best in temperate climates with full sunlight, moderate day time temperatures and
cool nights. Short days generally induce tubers in potato, although many modern cultivars can
initiate tuberization in the long days of north temperate regions (Hawkes, 1992).
According to FAO (2006) an irrigated crop of about 120 days can yield from 25 to 35 tones
ha-1 of fresh tubers under temperate and subtropical conditions, while farmers in the tropics
can harvest between 15 and 25 tones within 90 days of planting. In the lowlands of
Bangladesh and eastern India potato has become a valuable winter cash crop, while in
Philippines and Indonesia, potato production helps to satisfy rapidly increasing demand from
snack food industries. In sub-Saharan Africa, potatoes have become a preferred food in urban
areas and an important staple and cash crop in highland production zones of Cameroon,
Kenya, Malawi, Nigeria, Rwanda and South Africa.
a perennial plant commonly grown for its starchy tuber. It is one of the world’s major food
crops, after rice, wheat and corn. Potato originated some 8,000 years ago in high altitude
tropical areas of Peru in the Andes of South America (Messer, 2000). It was taken by the
Spanish to Europe in the 16th century and subsequently spread from Europe to other parts of
the world (FAO, 2006). It is the only major tuber crop grown in temperate regions and it is the
most important tuber crop in terms of production accounting for about 45 % of the total world
production of all tuber crops (Messer, 2000). Furthermore, potato is one of the foremost staple
foods of the world because of its high yield in calories and nutritive value per unit time and
space and it can be used as food and as a cash crop especially in developing countries (Rizza
et al., 2006).
Potato is cultivated under a wider range of altitudes, latitudes and climatic conditions than any
other major food crop (Horton and Anderson, 1992). According to Hijmans (2001), there are
two main peaks in global potato distribution by altitude. The major peak is between 45° N and
57° N and represents potato production zones in the temperate climates, where potato is a
summer crop. The other peak is between 23° N and 34° N and mainly represents production
zones in the subtropical lowlands, where potato is a winter crop. Potato is grown globally
under many different cultural conditions, including arid and semi-arid regions, where soils are
often highly saline due to soluble salts in irrigation water and fertilizers (Kirk et al., 2006). It
also grows best in temperate climates with full sunlight, moderate day time temperatures and
cool nights. Short days generally induce tubers in potato, although many modern cultivars can
initiate tuberization in the long days of north temperate regions (Hawkes, 1992).
According to FAO (2006) an irrigated crop of about 120 days can yield from 25 to 35 tones
ha-1 of fresh tubers under temperate and subtropical conditions, while farmers in the tropics
can harvest between 15 and 25 tones within 90 days of planting. In the lowlands of
Bangladesh and eastern India potato has become a valuable winter cash crop, while in
Philippines and Indonesia, potato production helps to satisfy rapidly increasing demand from
snack food industries. In sub-Saharan Africa, potatoes have become a preferred food in urban
areas and an important staple and cash crop in highland production zones of Cameroon,
Kenya, Malawi, Nigeria, Rwanda and South Africa.