Irradiation effects on membrane permeability of potato tubers from different fertilizer regimes

Russet Burbank potatoes were grown at three nitrogen levels (0,182 and 364kg/ha N). The harvested tubers were irradiated at 0, 0.05, 0.1 and 0.2 kGy of gamma radiation and stored for three months at 10 and 15.5 C. Nitrogen, irradiation, temperature, and their interactions significantly influenced an increase in membrane permeability during storage period. Tubers from zero fertilization (stressed tubers) had maximum increase of 4.2%, non-irradiated tubers had 5.6% and high temperature storage had 4.4% increase in membrane permeability. Increasing dosage of radiation increased membrane permeability indicating injuries to plasma membranes. Low temperature storage, maximum nitrogen, and 0.05 kGy irradiation resulted in minimum increase in membrane leakage