DISTRIBUTION OF DRY MATTER AND SUGARS WITHIN A TUBER OF POTATO CULTIVARS GROWN UNDER SHORT DAY CONDITIONS*

Abstract

Dry matter, redicing sugars amd sicrpse contents were determined at harvest, in seven different parts of the tubers of processing cvs kufri Chipona-1, Kufri Chipdona-2, Kufri jyoti, Kufri Lauvkar and Atlantic grown under short day conditions of North Indian Plains Significant distribution differences were observed for all the three parameters investigated. Dry matter content was highest in stem end and lowest in pith rigion Kufri Chipsona-1 and Atlantic were the only cultivars with dry matter content of 17% or more in the pith region, making Kufri Chipsona-1 more suitable for preparation of French fries also, the imported French fries of Lambwestion had relatively better distribution of dry matter content as compared of Kufri Chipsona-1 The reducing sugar and sucrose contents were greatest in stem end portions. The pattern of distribution of sugars, however, varied sighnificantly with the cultivar. It is suggested that for the analysis of dry matter and sugar content in potatioes, sampling should be done in such a manner that all portions of the tuber, from stem end to bud, are equally represented.