USE OF alpha , beta UNSATURATED ALIPHATIC ALDEHYDES AND KETONES TO INHIBIT POTATO TUBER SPROUTING

摘要

The present invention provides methods for inhibiting sprouting of potato tubers, the methods each including the step of contacting a potato tuber with an amount of a chemical agent including at least one aliphatic carbonyl compound selected from the group consisting of a C3 to C14, alpha , beta unsaturated aliphatic aldehyde and a C4 to C14, alpha , beta unsaturated aliphatic ketone, wherein the amount of the chemical agent is effective to inhibit potato tuber sprouting. Some aldehydes and ketones useful in the practice of the present invention are defined by formulae (I) and (II), respectively, as set forth herein. In the practice of the methods of the invention the chemical agent is applied after the potato tubers have been harvested, but typically not later than the onset of sprouting.