Potato quality is a major concern for both producers and customers. However, potato tubers are affected by various forms of internal damage with no external symptoms, leading to substantial economic losses. MRI was used as a non-invasive and quantitative method to evaluate internal defects in potato tubers and their evolution during storage. Rust spots, induced by water stress, were considered in particular. To this end, potato plants were cultivated both in the field and in pots and their water uptake was controlled. Following harvest and throughout the storage period, 3D images of tubers were recorded on a 1.5 T MRI scanner using a fast spin echo sequence. In parallel, the multi-exponential transverse relaxation times (T₂) of the tubers were mapped in order to provide information on changes in water status and distribution at the subcellular level in rust spots and in healthy perimedullary regions. The occurrence of rust spots correlated with water conditions in greenhouse where water intake was carefully controlled. The number and individual volume of rust spots did not change during storage period, but they significantly increased with tuber size. Bi-exponential transverse relaxation revealed differences between healthy and damaged tissue.

马铃薯的质量是生产者和消费者的主要关注点。然而，马铃薯块茎受到各种形式的内部损害，没有外部症状，导致了巨大的经济损失。MRI 被用作一种非侵入性和定量方法来评估马铃薯块茎的内部缺陷及其在储存过程中的演变。特别考虑了由水分胁迫引起的锈斑。为此，在田间和盆中种植马铃薯植物并控制它们的吸水量。在收获之后和整个储存期间，使用快速自旋回波序列在 1.5 T MRI 扫描仪上记录块茎的 3D 图像。同时，多指数横向弛豫时间 ( T ₂）的块茎被绘制出来，以提供有关锈斑和健康髓周区域亚细胞水平的水分状况和分布变化的信息。锈斑的出现与温室中的水条件有关，在那里仔细控制了取水量。贮藏期间锈斑的数量和个体体积没有变化，但随着块茎大小的增加而显着增加。双指数横向弛豫揭示了健康组织和受损组织之间的差异。