A method and apparatus are disclosed for atomizing or vaporizing chloroprofam or any other organic compound that is a solid at ambient temperature and pressure conditions. The method provides an air stream that can be nearly saturated with chloroprofam vapor and free of both combustion products and carrier solvents. In addition, the temperature of the air stream can be maintained at a temperature that is sufficiently low that it will not adversely affect tubers which are bathed in the air stream. The method includes introducing heated liquified chloroprofam under extreme pressure into a moving air mass within an atomization duct. An apparatus by which the method may be practiced includes a fluid delivery tube which transports liquified chloroprofam under pressure, first to a liquid-heating heat exchanger, and second to a discharge nozzle within a vaporization duct. As the liquid chloroprofam passes through the liquid-heating heat exchanger, it is heated just before it is expelled by the discharge nozzle into the vaporization duct. Pressurization of the chloroprofam within the delivery tube prevents it from boiling as it is heated and while it is en route to the discharge nozzle. The heated pressurized chloroprofam is introduced into an air stream flowing through the atomization duct that is propelled by a blower. Before reaching the nozzle, the air stream is heated by an air-heating heat exchanger. Atomization or vaporization may be assisted by spraying the heated chloroprofam onto a heated plate or onto an ultrasonic vibrator element.

The present invention provides methods for inhibiting sprouting of potato tubers, the methods each including the step of contacting a potato tuber with an amount of a chemical agent including at least one aliphatic carbonyl compound selected from the group consisting of a C.sub.3 to C.sub.14, .alpha.,.beta. unsaturated aliphatic aldehyde and a C.sub.4 to C.sub.14, .alpha.,.beta. unsaturated aliphatic ketone, wherein the amount of the chemical agent is effective to inhibit potato tuber sprouting. Some aldehydes and ketones useful in the practice of the present invention are defined by formulae I and II, respectively, as set forth herein. In the practice of the methods of the invention the chemical agent is applied after the potato tubers have been harvested, but typically not later than the onset of sprouting.

A method of controlling sprout formation in tubers includes application of CIPC and carvone or application of CIPC and benzothiazole and then storing the treated tubers. In a preferred embodiment of the method, tubers to be placed in storage are treated with a composition of CIPC and carvone or CIP and benzothiazole utilizing thermal fogging techniques, with the average effective residue of CIPC on the tubers of approximately 16.6 ppm. When the tubers are to be used to growth tuber-producing plants, for example, when the tubers are to be used as seed potatoes, after removal from storage, the seed potatoes are treated with ethylene at planting, thereby stimulating sprout growth.