Mechanism of low O₂and high CO₂ storage environment delaying aging of potato tuber

This study aimed to investigate the mechanism by which a low-oxygen and high-carbon dioxide storage environment delays the aging of potato tubers. Using the Longshu 17 cultivar as the research subject, we evaluated nutritional quality, appearance, and physiological parameters, along with transcriptomic profiling at mid-storage (60 days) and late-storage (150 days) stages. Phenotypic and transcriptomic responses of tubers to the low O2 high CO2 environment were analyzed to elucidate the molecular regulatory mechanisms underlying tuber preservation. The results showed that this storage condition significantly delayed starch degradation and reduced the accumulation of reducing sugars during cold storage. It also inhibited sprouting and water loss, preserved optimal skin color, suppressed the activities of phenylalanine ammonia-lyase and peroxidase, and positively regulated three endogenous hormones. Transcriptomic analysis revealed that compared to the control (CK), the low O2 and high CO2 treatment (CA) led to 741 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) at mid-storage, including 378 upregulated and 363 downregulated genes. At the end of storage, 1658 DEGs were identified, with 1211 upregulated and 447 downregulated. Bioinformatics analysis indicated that the low O2 and high CO2 environment significantly modulated pathways related to phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, starch and sucrose metabolism, plant hormone signal transduction, and MAPK signaling. In conclusion, this study provides a theoretical basis for controlled atmosphere storage of potatoes and offers new insights into the molecular mechanisms involved in tuber aging and preservation.