A sprout inhibitor for potatoes is introduced into a potato storage facility as a gas phase carried in an air stream. The liquid sprout inhibitor may be heated prior to injection into a flowing air stream or a large surface area of the liquid sprout inhibitor may be exposed to the air stream to induce evaporation of the inhibitor into a gaseous phase. Sprout inhibitors such as dimethylnaphthalene (DMN) and trimethylnaphthalene are especially suitable for introduction to potato storage sheds by thermal fogging or evaporative fogging. A method and composition to promote healing of freshly dug potatoes are further disclosed. Treatment of freshly dug potatoes with DMN either prior to or immediately after storage promotes rapid healing of cuts, abrasions and similar injuries to the potatoes. Stored potatoes first treated with DMN may be later advantageously treated with low levels of CIPC for effective sprout inhibition.
RELATED APPLICATION
This application is a continuation in-part of application Ser. No. 08/887,545 filed Jul. 3, 1997, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,010,728, which is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 08/570,255 filed Dec. 11, 1995, now abandoned, which is a continuation of Ser. No. 08/175,620 filed Dec. 30, 1993, now abandoned, which is a continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 08/133,453, filed Oct. 7, 1993, now abandoned.
