Data on the sensory evaluation of potatoes (Solanum tuberosum) from different areas of Hokkaido, Japan, performed by untrained young adults
This data article describes a sensory evaluation of potatoes used in food processing from the Tokachi, Kamikawa, and Abashiri geographic areas of Hokkaido, Japan, performed by untrained young adults. We gathered sensory data on potatoes from the four cultivars ‘Toyoshiro,’ ‘Kitahime,’ ‘Snowden,’ and ‘Poroshiri.’ The sensory evaluation was performed on steamed potatoes from each cultivar; these potatoes were harvested from each of the three geographic areas. Table 1 provides the data from the evaluation of the five basic tastes (sweet, salty, sour, bitter, and umami), as well as the evaluation of the egumi taste, which is a Japanese term indicating a taste that is acrid, astringent, and slightly bitter.
On the Relationship between Homogentisic Acid and the Egumi-taste of Bamboo Shoots and Hange
Some kinds of bamboo shoots in Japan are good to eat. However, they frequently have a characteristic taste, called "Egumi" or "Egomi" in Japanese, which irritates the root of the tongue. Yoshimura and Nishidal' reported that free oxalic acid and its salts are the principal cause of the egumi taste. According to Hasegawa,2' however, the taste of these compounds differs from the egumi taste and, moreover, their concentration in bamboo shoots is not proportional to the strength of the egumi taste. In canned bamboo shoots and on the surface of cooked slice, crystalline masses of tyrosine frequently appear and the skin of the bamboo shoot has dark patterns of melanin. Therefore, metabolites of tyrosine were tasted and it was found that only homogentisic acid had the egumi taste. Accordingly, the metabolism of homogentisic acid and its relationship to the egumi taste in bamboo shoots and hange were studied. The latter is a Chinese drug for morning sickness and has a strong egumi taste. Methods and results. A. Studies on bamboo shoots. 1. The egumi taste of homogentisic acid. About 0.1 mg samples was tasted and only homogentisic acid was found to have an egumi flavor (Table I).
Potato Crop Response to Genotype and Environment in a Subtropical Highland Agro-ecology
Potato response to environment, planting date and genotype was studied for different agro-ecological zones in Lesotho. Field experiments were conducted at four different sites with altitudes ranging from 1,655 to 2,250 m above sea level during the 2010/2011 and 2011/2012 summer growing seasons. Treatments consisted of three cultivars that varied in maturity type, two planting dates and four sites differing in altitude and weather patterns. Various plant parts were measured periodically. To understand and quantify the influence of abiotic factors that determine and limit yields, the LINTUL crop growth model was employed which simulated potential yields for the different agro-ecological zones using weather data collected per site during the study period. Observed actual crop yields were compared with model simulations to determine the yield gap. Model simulations helped to improve our understanding of yield limitations to further expand potato production in subtropical highlands, with emphasis on increasing production through increased yields rather than increased area. Substantial variation in yield between planting date, cultivar and site were observed. Average tuber dry matter (DM) yields for the highest yielding season were above 7.5 t DM ha−1 or over 37.5 t ha−1 fresh tuber yield. The lowest yield obtained was 2.39 t DM ha−1 or 12 t ha−1 fresh tuber yield for cultivar Vanderplank in the 2011/2012 growing season at the site with the lowest altitude. Modelled potential tuber yields were 9–14 t DM ha−1 or 45–70 t ha−1 fresh yield. Drought stress frequently resulted in lower radiation use efficiencies and to a lesser degree harvest indices, which reduced tuber yield. The site with the lowest altitude and highest temperatures had the lowest yields, while the site with the highest altitude had the highest yields. Later maturing cultivars yielded more than earlier maturing ones at all sites. It is concluded that the risk of low yields in rain-fed subtropical highlands can be minimised by planting late cultivars at the highest areas possible as early as the risks of late frosts permit.