Use of α,β unsaturated aliphatic aldehydes and ketones to inhibit potato tuber sprouting

Abstract

The present invention provides methods for inhibiting sprouting of potato tubers, the methods each including the step of contacting a potato tuber with an amount of a chemical agent including at least one aliphatic carbonyl compound selected from the group consisting of a C3 to C14, α,β unsaturated aliphatic aldehyde and a C4 to C14, α,β unsaturated aliphatic ketone, wherein the amount of the chemical agent is effective to inhibit potato tuber sprouting. Some aldehydes and ketones useful in the practice of the present invention are defined by formulae I and II, respectively, as set forth herein. In the practice of the methods of the invention the chemical agent is applied after the potato tubers have been harvested, but typically not later than the onset of sprouting.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.