Potato is an economically important crop which contributes greatly to global food security and nutrition. It requires extended storage facilitates for year-round supply of potatoes for fresh market and processing. Sprouting is the huge problem that is contributing to postharvest loss and makes potatoes unmarketable and unconsumable. The industry had depended on N-(3-chlorophenyl) carbamate (CIPC) an anti-sprout agent since 1950s. However, due to raised health and environmental impact concerns the anti-sprouting agent of potatoes was banned in 2020. The loss of CIPC for potato sprout control created an urgent demand for an alternative product. Therefore, my PhD research projects aim to explore the influence of safe and cost-effective natural compounds in controlling potato sprouting for extending storage life. The success of this project would reduce losses of potatoes along the supply chain and benefit stakeholders and consumers. We shall collaborate with the potato grower’s industry to achieve our goals of the project.
Jackson Mwenya
PhD Student
School of Science
Email: jmwenya@ecu.edu.au