Dissertation
Superior Fresh Market Potatoes Revealed Through Production Economics and Consumer Preference, and Maximizing Creamer-Sized Potatoes by Altering the Spatial Arrangement of Seed Pieces
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Washington State University
01/2015
Handle:
https://hdl.handle.net/2376/112049
Abstract
SUPERIOR FRESH MARKET POTATOES REVEALED THROUGH PRODUCTION ECONOMICS AND CONSUMER PREFERENCE, AND MAXIMIZING CREAMER-SIZED POTATOES BY ALTERING THE SPATIAL ARRANGEMENT OF SEED PIECES
Abstract
by Rulon Rhett Spear, Ph.D.
Washington State University
May 2015
Chair: Mark J. Pavek
Consumers have few options when purchasing fresh russet-type potatoes from most grocery stores, and growers may be financially compromised by current fresh market varieties. Russet Norkotah (RN) dominates the fresh market due to lack of superior alternatives. Two studies were conducted during 2011-13 to compare new varieties and clones to common fresh market varieties for early- and late-harvest yield, economic value, bruise susceptibility, and consumer preference. Early harvest varieties produced up to 16% greater yields (Targhee R., Mountain Gem R., Teton R., TX-278), and up to 30% greater economic return (Classic R., Mountain Gem R., TX-278, Teton R., Targhee R., TX-296) than RN while all late harvest varieties produced greater yields and gross return than RN of up to 31% and 38%, respectively. The most blackspot bruise susceptible varieties produced visual bruising up to 31% of the time calibrated impacts occured. Several varieties and clones including Mountain Gem R., Targhee R., Classic R., and Teton R could be suitable alternatives to RN for both an early- and late harvest. A scientific taste panel of 300 panelists, at harvest and after six months of cold storage, indicated that texture was the most liked attribute of RN and Mountain Gem R, and overall, all varieties received higher scores for aroma, taste and aftertaste than RN. When shown visual images of baked potato flesh, 80% of panelists preferred the flesh of a whiter, more fluffy looking potato to the darker, more water soaked appearance of an out-of-storage RN. A third study performed during 2011-12 focused on maximizing creamer-sized potatoes of the variety Bintje by altering spatial arrangements of seed pieces while maintaining similar plant populations between row width and in-row spacing treatment combinations. Small plot field trials indicate that the greatest yield and tuber number of the size profile with the greatest gross return (26-41 mm) was seen when seed was planted 15 cm apart into a 56 cm wide row. Overall, yields and tuber set had a tendency to decrease as in-row spacing increased.
Metrics
35 File views/ downloads
31 Record Views
Details
- Title
- Superior Fresh Market Potatoes Revealed Through Production Economics and Consumer Preference, and Maximizing Creamer-Sized Potatoes by Altering the Spatial Arrangement of Seed Pieces
- Creators
- Rulon Rhett Spear
- Contributors
- Mark J Pavek (Advisor)Norman R Knowles (Committee Member)Robert E Thornton (Committee Member)Joseph F Guenthner (Committee Member)
- Awarding Institution
- Washington State University
- Academic Unit
- Horticulture, Department of
- Theses and Dissertations
- Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Washington State University
- Number of pages
- 105
- Identifiers
- 99900581529701842
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Dissertation