b'ADVICE FROM INDUSTRY EXPERTSStorage Waste Chewing into Revenue and SustainabilityBILL ORRCanada technical representative1, 4 Group14group.comIF YOU COULD make a big stepthroughout storage.resulting shrink.towards improving sustainabilitybothThats not always what happens.There is a better option. environmental sustainability and yourI receive calls every year from1,4SIGHT is the only true dormancy farm business financial viabilitywhatproducers frustrated about having lostenhancer available on the market today. would make the biggest impact?volume to sprouting, shrink, or disease.A biocontrol, 1,4SIGHT leverages a Would you: decrease equipment passesIve seen piles drop by up to two feet fromnaturally occurring potato hormone that to reduce emissions and decrease fuelwater loss, and othersonly occasionally,triggers enzymes in the tuber to promote use? Improve your focus on 4R fertilizerthank goodnessthat are complete write- field-fresh quality. Whereas CIPCs only recommendations? Use more resistantoffs due to rot.function is to stop sprouting, 1,4SIGHT genetics to decrease fungicide andWhile CIPC does an effectivemaximizes salable yield by reducing water insecticide application?job of controlling sprouting, it hasloss, promoting overall tuber health and These options are the most commona negative impact on both qualityreducing the opportunity for pathogens to suggestions I hear. Theyre greatand waste in storage. Thats becauseattack and spread. 1,4Sight is an effective suggestions and just the start of whatCIPC impacts cell division and slowsproduct in any storage season but shines farmers and industry need to bewound healing, promoting rather thanin the most challenging years when tubers considering. BUT theyre missing a criticalcontrolling pathogen spread and diseaseare stressed andwithout 1,4SIGHTs opportunity decreasing productiondevelopment (which is exactly why CIPCsupportwould otherwise sprout away waste. cant be applied prior to suberization). Ifsalable yield and/or succumb to disease.A well-constructed, well-ventilated,a pile with a small amount of rot is treatedHow we produce is one important well-managed storage should act like awith CIPC, one can count on the diseasepart of sustainability. However, equally hotel, successfully maintaining the qualityto take a giant leap forward. CIPC alsoimportant is how we protect what weve and overall volume of stored productdoes nothing to minimize water loss andproduced from unnecessary wastage. How Well Do You Know Relative Humidity? SCOTT GRAHAMRaw development agronomy manager for ManitobaSimplotsimplot.comRELATIVE HUMIDITY (RH) is acent), moisture will move from the potatoreadily evapourate into the air stream. The critical concept in potato storage but it isinto the air, causing shrink and pressureair will only pick up the moisture it can challenging to understand. A quick recapbruise. On the flip side, high RH (95 perhold at that temperature. could save you significant losses.cent or more) promotes rapid curingThe biggest challenge in RH comes RH describes the actual compared toand the healing of wounds during thewhen the temperature difference between the maximum amount of water vapourearly stage of storage, reduces tubersthe plenum airstream and the pile exceeds air can hold at a specific temperature andwater loss and shrink, mitigates pressure1 to 3 F and/or when a 1 to 2 F differential pressure. For example, 60 per cent RHbruise, andheres the one that is oftenbetween the top and bottom of the pile means the air holds 60 per cent of themisunderstoodminimizes fungal andisnt maintained.maximum moisture that air could hold. bacterial infection, as long as theres notSuppose RH is 95 per cent in air with Warmer air can hold more water.free moisture. a plenum temperature of 45 F, but the Therefore, if the same amount of water isEnsuring adequate RH in early storagetubers are 48 F. As cool air contacts held in warm versus cold air, cold air willis the most critical as the majority ofwarmer potatoes (and since no additional measure higher RH. If air is heated and notubers weight loss occurs in the first 30water is supplied) the RH will drop to moisture is added, RH will drop. If air isdays. Unfortunately, many producersonly 75 per cent, resulting in moisture cooled without removing water, RH willdont add humidity until later, resulting inloss. Conversely, if the air temperature is increase until the air isnt able to hold allunnecessary losses and pressure bruise.48 F and has a RH of 95 per cent but tubers the moisture, resulting in condensation. A properly designed, well-maintainedare 45 F, the air around the colder tubers Potatoes are 80 per cent water. If aand well-calibrated humidicell willwill cool and condense (to 46.7 F), leading storages RH is too low (less than 90 perprovide small enough water droplets toto condensation and rot. 48SPUDSMART.COM Winter 2023'