Effect of growing season on some qualitative and functional attributes of different potato genotypes

Abstract

Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) is a staple food widely consumed in Tunisia and a source of nutrients beneficial for human health. The tubers are, indeed, important source of vitamins, minerals, and bioactive compounds, including carotenoids, polyphenols, and flavonoids. However, data regarding the functional quality of potato varieties grown and consumed in Tunisia are very scarce. For this reason, two field trials were conducted to focus on the effect of the growing season on the functional quality of four potato genotypes (Selena, El Beidha, Naima, and CL07F172.5): a first autumnal trial in Teboulba, Monastir (September 2015–February 2016), which is the late cropping season (LCS) and a second summer cropping season (SCS) in El ksour, El Kef region at an altitude > 1000 m (July 2015–October 2015). Total carotenoids, total phenolics, and flavonoids contents, as well as the hydrophilic radical scavenging activity and lipophilic radical scavenging activity (LRSA) were determined. The obtained results confirmed the importance of potato tubers as a source of bioactive compounds. All quality traits varied significantly among varieties and cropping seasons. Tubers grown under colder weather conditions (LCS: minimum and maximum averages temperatures and relative humidity (RH) ranging between 14.25 and 22.55°C and 25.46% and 83.07%, respectively) accumulated the highest total vitamin C content and exhibited the highest LRSA values. However, temperature and warmer growing conditions (SCS: minimum and maximum averages temperatures and RH ranging between 19.74 and 34.22°C and 35.46% and 87.51%, respectively) probably enhanced the synthesis and accumulation of total carotenoids, total phenolics, and total flavonoids, associated with higher LRSA values.

The effect of extended cold storage on the functional quality attributes of different potato genotypes

“…In the Mediterranean basin, potatoes are grown yearround under four major cropping seasons. The main or full cropping season is from March to July (Ilahy et al, 2023). Within the periods when there is no production, potatoes are cold stored to ensure year-round market supply (Galani et al, 2017;Marwaha et al, 2010;Ozturk & Polat, 2016).…”

“…Potato tubers contain good quantity of secondary metabolites, which plays a key role in a number of processes (Ezekiel et al, 2013;Ilahy et al, 2019Ilahy et al, , 2023. Most of these molecules are beneficial for human health and are strongly recommended for a balanced human diet (Ezekiel et al, 2013;Ilahy et al, 2018Ilahy et al, , 2023.…”

“…Potato tubers contain good quantity of secondary metabolites, which plays a key role in a number of processes (Ezekiel et al, 2013;Ilahy et al, 2019Ilahy et al, , 2023. Most of these molecules are beneficial for human health and are strongly recommended for a balanced human diet (Ezekiel et al, 2013;Ilahy et al, 2018Ilahy et al, , 2023. The level of bioactive compounds and functional properties of fresh produce is generally shaped by various factors such as the genotypic differences, agricultural practices, maturity, climatic conditions as well as pre and postharvest practices (Chala et al, 2017;Ezekiel et al, 2013;Haverkort, 1990;Ilahy et al, 2019Ilahy et al, , 2023Kaminski et al, 2014;Sonnewald et al, 2015;Van Oort et al, 2012).…”

“…Most of these molecules are beneficial for human health and are strongly recommended for a balanced human diet (Ezekiel et al, 2013;Ilahy et al, 2018Ilahy et al, , 2023. The level of bioactive compounds and functional properties of fresh produce is generally shaped by various factors such as the genotypic differences, agricultural practices, maturity, climatic conditions as well as pre and postharvest practices (Chala et al, 2017;Ezekiel et al, 2013;Haverkort, 1990;Ilahy et al, 2019Ilahy et al, , 2023Kaminski et al, 2014;Sonnewald et al, 2015;Van Oort et al, 2012). Additionally, the nutritional quality of fruits and vegetables strongly depends on postharvest storage conditions mainly temperature and storage duration.…”

“…Recommended agricultural practices by high-yielding growers were applied for plant nutrition and pathogen prevention as described in Ilahy et al (2023). The experimental design was a randomized complete block with three blocks (replicates).…”