Dormancy break during storage is a major contributor to postharvest losses in the potato supply chain. The enhancing potato dormancy project seeks to improve our understanding of the regulation of tuber dormancy, and to identify methods and markers for the selective breeding of this important trait.
  • DatesOctober 2024-October 2029
  • SponsorBBSRC Prosperity Partnership, PepsiCo International Ltd and Solynta
  • Funded拢3.6尘
  • PartnersPepsiCo International Ltd, Solynta

As potato tubers approach harvest maturity, they become dormant in preparation for overwintering before sprouting in the spring. However, to satisfy year-round demand, tubers may be stored for up to eight months, and sprouting during storage can result in significant loss of quality and economic value.

Our ability to prolong dormancy through artificial means has been reduced through the deregistration of the chemical sprout suppressant chlorpropham (CIPC) by the European Union. Storing tubers below 8掳C promotes the formation of reducing sugars that can reduce the quality of fried potato products, hindering our ability to reduce sprouting through cold storage. Reduced energy use for refrigeration is also preferable to minimise economic and environmental costs, aiding progress towards achieving a sustainable, net zero potato supply chain.

Therefore, there is a pressing need to develop biological solutions for the promotion of potato dormancy to maximise storability. This project sets out to unpick the physiological basis for tuber dormancy, determine the genetic basis for dormancy longevity and provide resources to support the breeding of dormancy-enhanced varieties. To achieve this, the project will address the following objectives:

  1. Identify and validate novel genetic loci controlling tuber dormancy;
  2. Conduct functional analysis of novel candidate genes involved in dormancy to understand the genetic regulation of tuber dormancy;
  3. Explore the relationship between genotypic and pre-harvest environmental factors on postharvest dormancy;
  4. Develop and validate novel approaches for potato dormancy phenotyping, such as through microtuber analysis and non-destructive AI-based systems.

This project draws on extensive expertise in postharvest physiology and plant genetics from 星空体育官网, innovative commercial potato breeding approaches from Solynta and production, storage and processing experience of PepsiCo International Ltd to co-deliver project outcomes, contextualised against industry need.

Related publications

  • Tosetti, R., Waters, A., Chope, G.A., Cools, K., Alamar, M.C., McWilliam, S., Thompson, A.J., Terry, L.A. (2021). . Postharvest Biology and Technology, 173, 111420.
  • Alamar, M.C., Tosetti, R., Landahl, S., Bermejo, A., Terry, L.A. (2017). . Frontiers in Plant Science, 8, 2034.
  • Foukaraki, S.G., Cools, K., Chope, G.A., Terry, L.A. (2016). . Postharvest Biology and Technology, 114, 95-103.
  • Foukaraki, S.G., Cools, K., Terry, L.A. (2016). . Postharvest Biology and Technology, 112, 87-94.
  • Ordaz-Ortiz, J. J., Foukaraki, S., Terry, L.A. (2015). .鈥疕orticulture Research,鈥�2.
  • Morris, W. L., Alamar, M. C., Lopez-Cobollo, R. M., Castillo Cañete, J., Bennett, M., Van der Kaay, J., Stevens, J., Sharma, S.K., McLean, K., Thompson, A.J., Terry, L.A., Turnbull, C.G.N, Bryan, G.J., Taylor, M. A. (2019). . Journal of Experimental Botany, 70(3), 835-843. 
  • Sharma, S. K., McLean, K., Colgan, R. J., Rees, D., Young, S., Sønderkær, M., Terry, L.A, Turnbull, C., Taylor, M.A., Bryan, G. J. (2021). . Heredity, 127(3), 253-265.