NATURALLY-OCCURRING AROMATIC-COMPOUNDS INHIBIT POTATO-TUBER SPROUTING

Several naturally-occurring aromatic aldehydes and an aromatic alcohol inhibited potato tuber sprouting when applied as volatiles or directl y as emulsions. Exposure to volatiles was for 1 or 10 days prior to pl acement into fresh air. Salicylaldehyde inhibited sprouting of tubers exposed for 1 or more days; benzaldehyde, cinnamaldehyde, cuminaldehyd e and thymol suppressed sprouting of tubers exposed for 10 days. Direc t application of cinnamaldehyde and benzaldehyde as 1% and 10% emulsio ns completely inhibited sprouting 14 days after treatment without appa rent tuber damage. These compounds applied without dilution inhibited sprouting but damaged tubers.