Influence of Cultivar and Different Farming Systems on the Contents of Flavonoids in Potatoes

Abstract

Flavonoids are a group of secondary plant metabolites with presumably beneficial health effects. The content of these phytochemicals in potato tubers depend on the cultivar, plant nutrient availability, environmental conditions and cultivation practices. This research was aimed to determine the impact of conventional, organic and biodynamic farming systems on the contents of major flavonoids in potato tubers with different coloured flesh. Five potato cultivars (Red Emmalie, Laura, Salad Blue, Violetta, Tornado) were cultivated at a farm in the Širvintos district (Lithuania). Potatoes were grown in different crop management systems: conventional, organic and biodynamic. The contents of flavonoids and their derivatives were measured by High-performance liquid chromatography method. The results shown that, the flavonoids composition in potato tubers depends on the cultivar and farming system. The content of total flavonoids and quercetin in tubers from all cultivation systems (conventional, organic and biodynamic systems) was similar (no statistically significant differences were found). Hovewer organically and biodinamically grown potatoes accumulated significantly higher content of total flavonols, quercetin-3-O-rutinoside and quercetin-3-O-glucoside, than potatoes grown in conventional system. The cultivar effect on the content of selected flavanoids in the potato tubers was also observed. Tornado and Laura showed the highest content of total flavonols, quercetin-3-O-rutinoside and quercetin. Red Emmalie and Violetta cultivars had the greatest content of quercetin-3-O-glucoside.