Potato supplier MBM Produce Ltd has further invested in another twin-store ethylene management system from BioFresh Ltd in order to supply greater volumes of tubers as free from chemical residue as possible.

Ethylene has recently been granted approval from the UK’s Pesticide Safety Directorate for use as a potato sprout suppressant. “The beauty of using ethylene as a sprout suppressant is that it is a naturally occurring plant hormone that leaves no detectable residue in the crop,” said MBM senior agronomist Chris Marshall. “We have made significant investment in ethylene management systems for our stores to provide our customers with quality potatoes year-round that have significantly lower levels of pesticide residues.

“Unlike alternative systems available in the UK, the BioFresh ethylene management system uses the most accurate ethylene sensor available, allowing us to maintain a carefully targeted level of ethylene in our stores. The technique is cost-effective, and the pure gas administered via the BioFresh system ensures that there is no risk of taints occurring in the stored crop.”

Several ethylene management systems are available in the UK, but MBM has chosen the system developed by BioFresh as it uses pure ethylene gas supplied from a bottled source and has an accurate patented sensor which has been shown to be robust. “Research shows that consumers are demanding food which has been treated with fewer chemicals,” said Julia Gilbert, MBM marketing manager. “Organic produce is one option, but it is also the case that significant steps are being taken to reduce chemical inputs on our conventional crops too.”

More information at www.bio-fresh.co.uk

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