Amir, J., Div. of Agronomy, Agricultural Research Organization, The Volcani Center, Bet Dagan, Israel
Kahn, V., Div. of Food Technology, Agricultural Research Organization, The Volcani Center, Bet Dagan, Israel
Unterman, M., Div. of Agronomy, Agricultural Research Organization, The Volcani Center, Bet Dagan, Israel

A kinetic study was made of the relationship between respiration rate, sugar content and ATP levels, in fresh and aged potato tubers stored at 4°. The ATP content in tubers rose rapidly immediately after the chilling stress, while respiration rate decreased below the initial rate and sugar accumulation was not detected. After 4 days of storage, the ATP level declined and the sugars started to accumulate. The typical increase in respiration rate that usually follows chilling stress, appeared only in fresh tubers (at about the 6th day of storage). In dinitrophenol-treated tubers, the ATP level remained below the initial level and sugar accumulation was blocked completely. The evidence presented suggests that ATP elevation is not generated by the respiration burst. © 1977.