Specific Gravity, Dry Matter and Starch Concentration of Different Potato Cultivars as Affected by Arsenic Contamination

Abstract

Arsenic (As) contamination of the soil may affect the quality of potato tubers. When assessing the processing quality of potato cultivars, specific gravity (SG) is the measurement of choice for estimating dry matter (DM) and starch concentrations in the potato tubers. In this study, effects of the As concentration in the soil on quality parameters (SG, DM, starch concentration and total soluble solids (TSS)) of 11 potato cultivars in Bangladesh were investigated in an outdoor pot experiment with a randomized complete block design (RCBD) and three blocks, at Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Dhaka, Bangladesh, from November, 2012 to March, 2013. The results showed highly significant differences between cultivars in quality parameters, except SG. Both As levels (25 and 50 mg As kg−1 soil) reduced the DM and starch concentration in the tubers of the potato cultivars compared to the control (0 mg As kg−1 soil), but had no significant effects on SG and TSS. ‘Lady Rosetta’ showed the highest SG (1.093 g cm−3), DM (23.02%) and starch concentration (16.60%). The lowest SG (1.065 g cm−3), DM (17.04%), and starch concentration (10.96%) was found in ‘Granola’. Highest TSS (5.91) was found in ‘Jam Alu’ while ‘Meridian’ had the lowest °Brix value (3.76). Bangladeshi potato farmers will benefit from the information generated regarding potato cultivation under As affected areas.