by Dale D. Moyer
Columbia University
Cooperative Extension Agent
Potato Specialist
The holding environment for good quality potatoes should be maintained at a
high relative humidity (90-95%) (see figure 1) and temperatures between
38-55°F, depending on the ultimate market of the potatoes. During this
period, tuber quality should be preserved by keeping weight loss to a
minimum and by controlling sprouting and rot. Temperatures between 38-40°F
is the optimum temperature range for sprout suppression. These temperature
levels will also control bacterial soft rot, silver scurf, and other storage
diseases and minimize the respiration rate. Research has shown that
respiration is lowest at a holding temperature of 45°F. If the relative
humidity is kept high and sprout inhibitors are used, potatoes stored at
45°F will maintain a physical quality similar to those stored at 40°.