ISHS Acta Horticulturae 194: International Symposium on Fruit & Vegetables for Processing
THE INFLUENCE OF CALCIUM ON THE QUALITY AND KEEPING QUALITY OF POTATOES : THE EFFECTS ON CELL WALLS |
| Authors: | M. W. Venter, O.T. de Villiers |
| Abstract:
Two potato cultivars, Vanderplank and BP-1, were grown in sand culture under controlled conditions. Plants received nutrient solutions having different calcium (Ca) concentrations. Tubers were examined anatomically using a scanning electron microscope. It was found that when the plants received no Ca, the middle lamella of the parenchyma cells dissolved, the cells separated and cell organization was disrupted. Plants receiving 247,5 mgl-1; 742,5 mgl-1 and 990,0 mgl-1 Ca, had parenchyma cell walls in which the middle lamella was present, the cells remained in contact with one another and cell organization was normal. The cell walls of potatoes grown under conditions where no Ca was available, disintegrated after a six weeks storage period. | |
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