MEASUREMENTS FOR DETERMINING POTATO-TUBER MATURITY

A device and procedure have been developed for measuring tuber skin strength of Russet Burbank potatoes. Tests were designed to quantitatively measure the effects of. 1) various vine killing methods, 2) elapsed time between digging and testing, 3) tester tip hardness and 4) skin strength changes for three weeks following vine kill. Results show that no differences in skin strength can be detected between vine killing methods. Skin strength values of 2160 g-cm or greater are estimated to provide adequate resistance to harvest and handling damage. Location of the test area on the tuber influences results as well as does the elapsed time between digging and testing. Some commerical users find this testing device to be advantageous.