Abstract: A method for treating a substrate with a volatile liquid, crop-preservative formulation includes transporting a predetermined quantity of the formulation from a reservoir to an injection device and applying the predetermined quantity to the substrate. The substrate may thereafter be in proximity to a crop to be treated by the vapor from the formulation. The substrate is most conveniently a portion of a container in which the crop is stored or shipped.

Abstract: A method for treating a substrate with a volatile liquid, crop-preservative formulation includes transporting a predetermined quantity of the formulation from a reservoir to an injection device and applying the predetermined quantity to the substrate. The substrate may thereafter be in proximity to a crop to be treated by the vapor from the formulation. The substrate is most conveniently a portion of a container in which the crop is stored or shipped.

Abstract: A method for treating a substrate with a volatile liquid, crop-preservative formulation includes transporting a predetermined quantity of the formulation from a reservoir to an injection device and applying the predetermined quantity to the substrate. The substrate may thereafter be in proximity to a crop to be treated by the vapor from the formulation. The substrate is most conveniently a portion of a container in which the crop is stored or shipped.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for treating stored potatoes to inhibit the growth of sprouts, and/or to “burn” sprouts, include the use of allyl isothiocyanate (“AITC”), which may be generated from exposing a Brassica meal powder (i.e., a powder derived from a member of the mustard plant family) to water. The AITC generated may provided an all-natural sprout-inhibiting agent that is effective to inhibit sprouting in stored potatoes for several weeks, if not months. Alternatively, the AITC may be synthetically produced. The potatoes may be exposed to the AITC while air containing the AITC is circulated through the potato pile, after which the potato storage facility may be ventilated to expose the potatoes to fresh air. The exposure of the potatoes to AITC may be repeated.

Abstract: A method for treating a substrate with a volatile liquid, crop-preservative formulation includes transporting a predetermined quantity of the formulation from a reservoir to an injection device and applying the predetermined quantity to the substrate. The substrate may thereafter be in proximity to a crop to be treated by the vapor from the formulation. The substrate is most conveniently a portion of a container in which the crop is stored or shipped.

Abstract: A method for treating a substrate with a volatile liquid, crop-preservative formulation includes transporting a predetermined quantity of the formulation from a reservoir to an injection device and applying the predetermined quantity to the substrate. The substrate may thereafter be in proximity to a crop to be treated by the vapor from the formulation. The substrate is most conveniently a portion of a container in which the crop is stored or shipped.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for treating stored potatoes to inhibit the growth of sprouts, and/or to “burn” sprouts, include the use of allyl isothiocyanate (“AITC”), which may be generated from exposing a Brassica meal powder (i.e., a powder derived from a member of the mustard plant family) to water. The AITC generated may provided an all-natural sprout-inhibiting agent that is effective to inhibit sprouting in stored potatoes for several weeks, if not months. Alternatively, the AITC may be synthetically produced. The potatoes may be exposed to the AITC while air containing the AITC is circulated through the potato pile, after which the potato storage facility may be ventilated to expose the potatoes to fresh air. The exposure of the potatoes to AITC may be repeated.

Abstract: A method for treating a substrate with a volatile liquid, crop-preservative formulation includes transporting a predetermined quantity of the formulation from a reservoir to an injection device and applying the predetermined quantity to the substrate. The substrate may thereafter be in proximity to a crop to be treated by the vapor from the formulation. The substrate is most conveniently a portion of a container in which the crop is stored or shipped.

Abstract: A method for treating a substrate with a volatile liquid, crop-preservative formulation includes transporting a predetermined quantity of the formulation from a reservoir to an injection device and applying the predetermined quantity to the substrate. The substrate may thereafter be in proximity to a crop to be treated by the vapor from the formulation. The substrate is most conveniently a portion of a container in which the crop is stored or shipped.

Abstract: A method and composition of treating post-harvest tubers with a higher alcohol and a lower alkyl naphthalene to suppress sprouting.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for treating a substrate with a volatile liquid, crop-preservative formulation, wherein said substrate is in proximity to a crop to be treated by the vapor from said formulation, is disclosed. The substrate is most conveniently a portion of a container in which said crop is stored or shipped. The apparatus and method are adapted to place predetermined quantities of said formulation upon a desired substrate.

Abstract: A method and composition of treating post-harvest tubers with a higher alcohol as a thermofogged aerosol to suppress sprouting is disclosed.

Abstract: A liquid crop-preservative composition containing a volatile, liquid active ingredient suitable for effective crop-preservation in the vapor-phase. The crop-preservative composition is sufficiently non-viscous to be applied to crops or to a surface disassociated with said crops via one or more minute orifices. A suitable compatible lubricant and diluent may be incorporated in said composition.

Abstract: Methods and kits for assaying a chemical in a sample are disclosed. The method includes placing an extraction solution and an internal standard in a container. A sample is collected from a first location and placed in the container. The container is transported to a second location where the chemical in the extraction solution is assayed. A kit for transporting the sample from a first location to a second location includes at least one container for holding the sample. The at least one container includes an extraction solution for dissolving a chemical in the solution and an internal standard for calibrating an assay of the chemical. The methods and kits may be used in a system for quantitating an amount of a sprout inhibitor on a tuber, such as a potato.

Abstract: Methods and kits for assaying a chemical in a sample are disclosed. The method includes placing an extraction solution and an internal standard in a container. A sample is collected from a first location and placed in the container. The container is transported to a second location where the chemical in the extraction solution is assayed. A kit for transporting the sample from a first location to a second location includes at least one container for holding the sample. The at least one container includes an extraction solution for dissolving a chemical in the solution and an internal standard for calibrating an assay of the chemical. The methods and kits may be used in a system for quantitating an amount of a sprout inhibitor on a tuber, such as a potato.

Abstract: Porous media may be infused with a layer of chemical upon an extended surface of the porous media by forming a vapor of the chemical and condensing the vapor onto exposed surfaces of the porous media.

Abstract: Chemical treatment systems and devices structured and adapted to provide chemical vapor of a sprout-inhibiting chemical to tubers stored in boxes in box storage facilities.

Abstract: Methods and systems useful for treating crop storage systems with a chemical vapor are set forth herein. Particularly, vapors of CIPC are used in either active or passive systems to inhibit sprouting of stored potatoes.

Abstract: Methods of infusing a porous media with a liquid chemical agent mixture are disclosed. In some embodiments, the methods include forming a solution of said chemical agent in a suitable solvent, introducing said chemical agent solution into contact with said porous media, and evaporating said solvent to deposit said chemical agent onto/into said porous media. In some embodiments, the chemical agent is CIPC.

Abstract: A release device for slowly releasing vapors of a sprout inhibitor into a small package of potatoes is disclosed. The release device includes a container for holding particulate porous media which has absorbed a liquid sprout inhibitor. The container is at least partially porous with respect to sprout inhibitor vapors such that the release device may be utilized to inhibit sprouting of potatoes in small packages during shipments. The release device may further be structured to be coated to control the release rate and may further include being printed upon a porous substrate.