Michigan Potato IndustryMichigan Potato IndustryExperimental Experimental Storage Storage 1999/20001999/2000

Roger BrookProfessor & Extension Engineer

Agricultural Engineering Dept.

Michigan State University

Project GoalProject Goal

To demonstrate potato storage techniques necessary for:

extending the stored life of Michigan grown potatoes

increasing the marketability of Michigan grown storage potatoes

MPIC Storage CommitteeMPIC Storage Committee

– Brian Sackett, chairperson– Steve Crooks– Greg Perkins– Tim Young– Gary Walthers

– Todd Forbush, Techmark– Roger Brook, MSU Extension

BackgroundBackground

After 12 years of continued success in storage demonstration, it was determined a permanent facility was needed

MPIC storage committee developed a permanent storage facility to implement new storage technology and techniques

Contact a member of the MPIC storage committee or the MPIC office staff

FOR MORE INFO...

TechnologyTechnology

New technology being used– refrigeration– reverse airflow

Standards being adopted– Fancom controllers– humicells

Procedures 1999-2000Procedures 1999-2000

Snowden potatoesThree planting datesThree storage temperaturesBi-weekly quality samplingMarketing through cooperating

potato chip company

Three Planting DatesThree Planting Dates

Bin 1 5 6

PlantDate

EarlyJune

MidMay

LateApril

HarvestDate

10/18/99 9/25/99 9/18/99

ShipDate

6/6/00 4/25/00 5/31/00

Three Planting DatesThree Planting Dates

Bin 1late

5normal

6early

Weight Loss- bags, %- before grade, %- after grade, %

4.76.3

14.0

5.97.3

16.4

8.411.6dehy

Plant Chip Quality- internal, %- external, %

72

13total

21total

Pressure Bruise- top, %- middle, %- bottom, %

64249

20819

103658

Three Planting DatesThree Planting Dates

Three Planting DatesThree Planting Dates

Three Storage TemperaturesThree Storage Temperatures

Bin 3 4 2

StorageTemp, F

40 43 46

HarvestDate

10/18/99 10/18/99 10/18/99

ShipDate

5/11/00 5/15/00 5/16/00

Three Storage TemperaturesThree Storage Temperatures

Bin 340 F

443 F

246 F

Weight Loss- bags, %- before grade, %- after grade, %

4.45.7

16.0

4.68.0

18.7

4.86.919.2

Plant Chip Quality- internal, %- external, %- Agtron

21

63.7

22

60.4

22

59.3Pressure Bruise

- top, %- middle, %- bottom, %

21234

53245

62050

ConclusionsConclusions

The Michigan potato industry has a new tool for improving storage management

Tuber maturity at harvest may be a key factor that we haven’t previously considered or “measured”

Refrigeration management will be important for June delivery