The influence of growing environment on the antioxidant and mineral content of "early" crop potato

The "early" crop potato is widely grown in the Mediterranean basin where it significantly contributes to the agricultural economy. Since growing conditions are known to greatly influence the yield and qualitative value of vegetables, the yield and nutritional performance (through the analyses of tuber mineral composition and antioxidants content) in three contrasting southern Italian locations of nine early crop cultivars was documented. A principal component analysis showed that cultivars grown in Cassibile accumulated the most Mg (288±2mgkg-1 of dry matter), whereas those grown in Torregrotta accumulated the most K (4271±24mgkg-1 of dry matter). Although the effect of location predominated, a cultivar effect was also significant for all of the yield and nutritional parameters. The tubers of cvs. Ditta and Everest performed particularly well with respect to their antioxidant and essential mineral content. The choice of both growing location and cultivar generates an early potato crop with distinct nutritional traits.