GLYCOALKALOID INCREASE IN SOLANUM-TUBEROSUM ON EXPOSURE TO LIGHT

Tubers of six commercially available potato cultivars were placed in bright light (140 mu mol(-1) m(-2)), approximately equivalent to dull daylight, for a continuous period of up to seven days. The tubers were sampled at intervals, scored for degree of greening, freeze-dried and subsequently assessed for glycoarkaloid and chlorophyll content. There were significant differences between the cultivars in their rates of greening and increase in glycoalkaloid content. There was an apparent relationship between the two characters. Increases in the individual glycoalkaloids alpha-chaconine and alpha-solanine were also assessed. The results are discussed in terms of the implications for the potato industry.