Oregon-grown Russet Burbank late-crop potatoes from 16 randomly selected farms were divided into six specific gravity classes
and stored at 40 F and 85% rh for 6 months. Specific gravity and weight changes were determined monthly on these tubers and
organoleptic tests were made at the close of the storage period by an experienced judging panel. Matching sets of tubers in
three specific gravity classes, 1.1095, 1.105 and 1.110, were judged for mealiness at harvest and after 1, 2, 4 and 6 months.
Mealiness, evaluated by a taste panel, increased slightly up to 6 months of storage at 40 F and 85% rh.
Specific gravity increased slightly in storage, the lower specific gravity classes, 1.085, 1.090 and 1.095 increased more
than the higher classes.
Over 50% of the total weight loss during storage occurred during the first 60 days. Loss after this period amounted to 1/2
to 1 gram per month depending on the size of the tuber.
Tubers that increased in specific gravity when stored, lost significantly more weight than those that decreased, fluctuated,
or remained unchanged in gravity during storage.
Tubers that showed no change in specific gravity in storage had a significantly higher mealiness rating for the same gravity
class than those that increased or those that decreased in gravity during storage.
Correlation coefficient between weight loss and mealiness of individual tubers stored for 6 months was not significant.
No correlation was found between harvestweight, harvestsize or harvestspecific gravity of potatoes and shrinkage during storage.
Technical Paper 1512. Home Economics Research, Agricultural Experiment Station, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon.