THE EFFECT OF GAMMA-IRRADIATION ON GLYCOALKALOID AND CHLOROPHYLL SYNTHESIS IN 7 POTATO CULTIVARS

The use of gamma irradiation to control sprouting and increase the len gth of storage time of potatoes has been proposed as an alternative to cold storage or the use of chemical sprout suppressants. Indeed, it i s applied on a commercial-scale to potatoes in Japan. This research re ports on the effects of different levels of gamma irradiation on seven potato cultivars in relation to chlorophyll and glycoalkaloid synthes is on subsequent exposure to light after a period of storage. There we re significant genotype differences between cultivars in their respons e to gamma irradiation, with some cultivars exhibiting dramatically re duced levels of glycoalkaloid synthesis compared with others. Also, cu ltivars responded differently to variable irradiation levels. The impl ications of the results are discussed in relation to public health con cerns and selection within potato breeding programmes.