On 4th and 5th May, Kürt Demeulemeester, Head at Inagro Arable Crops Department, presented the first results of a series of trials on potatoe natural sprout suppressants in Vienna, Austria at an event organised by DormFresh, a Scottish based private company with the prime intention to supply dormancy-enhancing and sprount-inhibiting agricultural products for the industry throughout Europe in a safe and responsible manner. About 70 people (35 in person, the others online), including a representative of the DODILog partner Arvalis, Katell Crepon, attended the meeting.
The three tests presented experimented the HALOFOG® 300PC advanced fogging solution together with the Argos (orange oil) and SIGHT (DMN) natural sprout inhibitors. One demonstrator included the use of the TAPP datalogger (also piloted in DODILog by Graansloot and Port of Zwolle) to control the temperature. The trials were part of the DODILog project pilot on preserving potatoe quality during storage in reefer containers.
Inagro´s setting adopted 2x 10ft reefer-container with potatoes stored in netted 25kg bags. The tubers were stored from November till May at @8°C. Tubers were unloaded twice during this period and tested on their shelf-life by storing them for 3 weeks at @10°C and @18°C.
Since containers are often in transit for three to five weeks and potatoes can remain sitting in warm conditions for a long time before being unloaded, triggering sprout growth, it is essential to look at innovative ways to extend their dormancy period and have the entire supply chain under control.
See PPT attached for more info.
NOTE
The Veugen Technology Hafalog® 300 PC is an innovative device ensuring that produces remain in top conditions, by optimal and uniform dispersion of sprout inhibitors within a container, using sophisticated atomisation technology which is not only cost-saving but alos reduces the environmental impact.
ARGOS® from UPL is a natural product containing pure, food grade orange oil as the active. It effectively burns back sprouts to give control for several weeks between applications.
1,4SIGHT® is a potato sprout suppressant and dormancy enhancer containing 1,4-Dimethylnaphthalene (1,4-DMN), a natural compound. It is applied via hot fogging in storage to prevent sprouting, reduce shrinkage/weight loss, and improve skin set, with approval in many countries including the US, Canada, and European nations