Subcutaneous tissue discoloration in ware potatoes. 1. A chain analysis in the Netherlands

In the chain of handling operations from harvesting to packaging inclusive, potatoes are exposed to many brief mechanical forces (impacts) and to long-term pressure. Impact and pressure call lead to subcutaneous tissue discoloration causing qualitative and quantitative losses. We investigated the characteristics of construction and utilization of representative Dutch ware potato handling chains and found that the number and height of drops appeared to be too high, the use of cushioning materials insufficient and the speed of the transporting parts too high and not in balance with each other. The contribution to the total amount of subcutaneous tissue discoloration was 16% for the harvesting to bin filling phases inclusive, 22% for the storage phase, 27% for the shovelling to truck loading phases inclusive and 35% for the truck unloading to packaging phases inclusive. These contributions varied considerably within phases and within links. The results can be used to develop equipment, upgrade present chains and design new, produce-friendly handling chains.