Sindhuja Sankaran | Washington State University | |||
Gajanan Kothawade | Washington State University | |||
Worasit Sangjan | Washington State University | |||
Austin Bates | University of Idaho | |||
Brenda Schroeder | University of Idaho | |||
Lav Khot | Washington State University |
Postharvest disease management is a critical aspect in potato storage facility management. Given the quantity of potato tubers stored in bulk storage, the disease incidence can result in significant production losses. The current bulk storage facilities lack the state-of-art sensing tools to detect at early stages and manage storage diseases. In this regard, advanced volatile sensing technologies offer non-invasive, objective, early, and accurate detection of disease status through volatile biomarker monitoring. In this study, we evaluated the potential of utilizing field asymmetric ion mobility spectrometer (FAIMS) for detection of soft rot and Pythium leak, two predominant pathogens associated with potato storage losses. Research was conducted using Russet Burbank, an industry standard variety for French fries, and Ranger Russet, most vulnerable variety to storage issues. In addition to the sensing technique, the traditional gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) technique was utilized for identification of biomarkers associated with the disease conditions. Results showed that compounds such as N, N-dimethyl methylamine, styrene, 1-undecene and acetone were associated with rot conditions. In addition, FAIMS data showed the potential for early detection of rot conditions. We anticipate that storage facility integrating such sensing technologies can better manage storage conditions and prevent production losses.