Effects of storage at chilling temperature on ion absorption, salt retention capacity and respiratory pattern in yam tubers

Yams, like most tropical crops, are subject to chilling injury when stored at temperatures below 10°C. Membrane permeability changes are considered to be among the causative factors. Some physiological parameters associated with the cell membranes were therefore examined in yam tuber tissue. It was established that incipient chilling injury could be rapidly detected by changes in ion absorption and salt retention capacities of tuber disks. Chilling effects were also reflected by changes in respiratory rate. It is proposed that these techniques can be used for rapid screening of tubers of a wide range of yam varieties, to establish optimum and minimum safe storage temperatures.