Effect of weather conditions affected by latitude on the content of
anthocyanins, phenolic acids and ascorbic acid in potato cultivars
Abstract
Phenolic compounds and ascorbic acid are the main antioxidants in potato
tubers. Synthesis of these metabolites is affected by biotic and abiotic
factors. The aim was to understand how the genetic background, stage of
tuber development and weather conditions impact the synthesis of
phenolic compounds, ascorbic acid and tuber yield. Therefore, four
potato cultivars with purple or yellow tuber flesh were grown at two
different latitudes (61.2° N and 64.8° N) in two consecutive years in
Finland. The potato tubers were harvested at different stages of tuber
development. Purple-fleshed potato cultivars (‘Blue Congo’ and ‘Synkeä
Sakari’) showed the highest gene expression levels for anthocyanin
biosynthesis. The content of anthocyanins and phenolic acids in the
tubers was the highest at around 70 days after planting (DAP) and
decreased during tuber development. Temperature was the main weather
variable affecting the synthesis of phenolic compounds. The potato trial
located at 61.2 °N in 2014 (Kokemäki) was exposed to the highest
temperatures and lowest precipitation. This produced tubers with reduced
gene expression levels for the synthesis of phenolic compounds and the
lowest content of anthocyanins, phenolic acids and ascorbic acid. All
the potato tubers from this trial had scabs, which reduced the tuber
quality.