Re-examining Potato Dormancy in the Context of Commercial Tuber Storage

Potato tuber dormancy is influenced by genetic, environmental, and management parameters. This review critically reassesses the current understanding and terminology of factors affecting dormancy phases in potatoes, emphasising the need for alignment with concepts used in other dormant model systems and refocusing on the practical implications for commercial storage and breeding. Many hypotheses exist on the subject of dormancy of potato tubers. The timing of endodormancy initiation has been a subject of debate for the last few decades and differs in comparison to other model dormant systems. Gene expression studies have identified numerous potential markers for dormancy phases, yet inconsistencies in dormancy terminology and experimental storage conditions make interpreting the literature challenging. We suggest refining the term ‘ecodormancy’ by distinguishing dormancy under cool storage (ware tubers for processing market) as ‘store quiescence’, and under cold storage (ware table-stock and seed tubers) as ‘chilling response’, to improve understanding and management of dormancy in different storage scenarios. Key knowledge gaps remain for the role of ethylene, regulation of reactive oxygen species, role of Dormancy Associated MADS-box genes and the mechanisms for apical dominance. Addressing these gaps could enhance breeding strategies and optimise storage management, ultimately supporting improved commercial potato production and supply.