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