THE EFFECTS OF TEMPERATURE AND SENESCENCE ON THE ACCUMULATION OF REDUCING SUGARS DURING STORAGE OF POTATO (SOLANUM-TUBEROSUM L) TUBERS - A MATHEMATICAL-MODEL

A dynamic mathematical model based on underlying physiological process es is developed to describe, analyze and predict the storage behaviour of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) tubers in terms of accumulation of r educing sugars. The data necessary for calibration and validation of t he model were gathered during long term storage experiments over a wid e range of storage temperatures for several seasons and cultivars. Alt hough the model is based on a considerable simplification of the occur ring physiological processes, it is capable of accounting for about 95 % of the storage behaviour, including both cold-induced and senescent sweetening. The concept is postulated that the state of maturity at ti me of harvest determines storage behaviour through the initial amount of enzyme (or enzyme system) responsible for cold-induced sweetening.