Research reports on on the use of chlorpropham (CIPC) for sprout suppression in potatoes

CIPC application and distribution in potato stores

R483 Commercial evaluation of storage solutions for enhanced application of CIPC (2013-2017)

• evaluation of modifications to commercial box stores to improve CIPC residue distribution

 R464/R441 Develop best practice recommendations for the use of ethylene on processing cultivars (2010- 2016)

• includes studies of the efficacy of CIPC + ethylene for sprout suppression and the effects on fry colours

 R463 Development of CIPC best practice recommendations for low-temperature (pre pack) box stores to minimise risk of exceeding the maximum residue level (2011-2012)

• characteristics of low temperature box stores influencing CIPC residue distribution

R414 Evaluation of CIPC application and behaviour and its influence on the variability of CIPC residues (2008-2011)

• options to improve the distribution of CIPC in box stores, especially ‘overhead throw’ stores, including modifications to box stacking regimes and application practices (application into plenum chambers and/or low speed recirculation)
• small-scale trials to assess influence of application and storage conditions (temperature, condensation, airflow, solvents) on CIPC particle behaviour

R297 The effect of timing of application of CIPC on sprout control efficacy (2007-2009)

• importance of the timing of initial CIPC application for sprout control efficacy

 R288 The use of CIPC vapour to control sprouting in commercial potato stores  (2007-2008)

• CIPC vapour release and movement of vapour through stores

 R265 Evaluation of the impact of modified storage practices on sprout suppression (2005-2009)

• aspects of north American CIPC application practices evaluated, including continuous recirculation of CIPC fog through the bulk pile with fans operating at low speed
• modification to application equipment to reduce the volume of fog introduced into stores
• application and sprout control efficacies assessed

R258 Predicting CIPC vapour and particle distribution in potato stores (2004-2007)

• sprout control using CIPC vapour and/or small particles of CIPC in stores to improve the uniformity residue distribution
• generation of the data required to create models to predict CIPC distributions in store

R243 Review and development of the application of CIPC to stored potatoes and evaluation of environmental issues (2003-2006)

• levels of CIPC present in store air and wash water at different times throughout the season
• thermal breakdown of CIPC during the application process
• tested treatments for removing CIPC from store fabric

R235 Review and development of CIPC application and its impact on potatoes for processing (2002-2006)

• following 807/208. Further work on options for reducing the impact of fogging on processing quality, including alternative fuel sources (methanol, LPG) and modification of existing fogging equipment to include a catalytic conversion system
• evaluated use of an ethylene blocker to reduce the deleterious effects on fry colour
• evaluated controlled release technology to use CIPC vapour as a sprout suppressant

807/208 Detrimental effects of CIPC application on processing quality (1999-2003)

• examined the thermal fogging process used in CIPC application and its effect on processing quality, focusing on the influence of ethylene produced during application
• investigated options for minimising the negative effects on fry quality, including ventilation following fogging, use of alternative fogger fuels, reducing the number of CIPC fog applications, and removing ethylene and CO2 from store atmospheres.

807/207 Optimisation of CIPC for stored potatoes and environmental issues (1999-2003)

CIPC residues

11140006 Persistence, transformation and fate of CIPC in commercial Stores (2014-2018)

• development of methods to quantify the persistence and distribution of CIPC in potato stores
• majority of CIPC residues were found within the top one centimetre of concrete flooring
• potential for cross contamination in buildings where CIPC was applied years previously

Alternative sprout suppressants

The loss of CIPC for the control of sprouting during storage (in 2020) placed greater emphasis on the other tools available to store managers including alternative sprout suppressants, variety choice and store management practices.

11140056 Maleic hydrazide - optimisation as a sprout suppressant (2017-2022)

• variation in MH residue between tubers
• determine the residue concentration required for control of sprout growth

11140057 Integrating alternative sprout suppressants for the fresh market (2018-2022)

• comparative efficacy of a range of sprout suppression treatments (with or without prior treatment with maleic hydrazide): ethylene, spearmint oil, orange oil, 1,4-Dimethylnaphthalene (DMN) on a range of pre-pack varieties.

11140043 Integrating alternative sprout suppressants for the processing market (2017-2022)

• maleic hydrazide (MH), spearmint oil, ethylene, 1-4 dimethylnaphthalene (DMN)
• sprouting and fry colour assessments