Tubers directly exposed to sunlight will start undergoing photosynthesis. The exposed potatoes will turn green as chlorophyll develops in their structure. The green color indicates that the potatoes have a toxic level of solanine.
Why should potatoes never be exposed to light?
If potatoes are exposed to sunlight, they will start to photosynthesize and produce a green pigment under the skin. This 'greening' IS TOXIC to anything that eats it!! It's a great strategy for the potato to avoid being eaten but not so great for us if we plan on harvesting an edible crop.
How does light affect potato growth?
Potatoes produce edible tubers under the soil, but grow leafy plants above ground. They do need light and thrive in an area with full sun. However, the tubers need protection from sunlight, as too much sunlight during growth turns the tubers green.
What happens if potatoes are stored in sunlight?
Sunlight or fluorescent light can cause potato skins to produce chlorophyll and turn an undesirable green color ( 1 ). While the chlorophyll that turns skins green is harmless, sun exposure can produce large amounts of a toxic chemical called solanine.
Do potatoes need sunlight?
Plant potatoes in a sunny place with at least 6 hours of directly sunlight each day. The tubers need to grow in fertile, loose, well-drained soil; hard or compacted soil leads to misshapen tubers. Ideally, soil is slightly acid (pH 5.8 to 6.5) and the soil temperature is at least 45º to 55ºF (7° to 13°C).
More useful articles on a similar topic 👇
How does photosynthesis work for potatoes?Why do my potatoes turn green so fast?
