** AWARDS ISSUED PRIOR TO JANUARY 20, 2025, WERE FUNDED UNDER PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATIONS AND MAY NOT REFLECT THE PRIORITIES AND POLICIES OF THE CURRENT ADMINISTRATION.** POTATOES NEED TO HEAL THEIR WOUNDS QUICKLY TO AVOID WATER LOSS, DISEASES, AND DEFECTS. THIS STUDY IS CHECKING IF WE CAN MAKE THIS HAPPEN BY HEALING THE WOUNDS AT LOWER CURING TEMPERATURES. IF IT WORKS, IT CAN KEEP THE POTATOES FRESH FOR LONGER, WHICH COULD REDUCE LOSSES DURING LONG-TERM STORAGE. IN THE SHORT TERM, WE'LL TRY TO HEAL THE WOUNDS IN RUSSET POTATOES BY USING CALCIUM CHLORIDE AND NITRIC OXIDE (NO) TREATMENTS AT LOWER CURING TEMPERATURES. WE HOPE THIS WILL MAKE THE HEALING PROCESS MORE EFFECTIVE. IN THE MEDIUM TERM, WE'LL USE A TECHNIQUE CALLED NEAR-INFRARED HYPERSPECTRAL IMAGING (NIR-HSI) TO SEE HOW MUCH THE WOUNDS HAVE HEALED. WE'LL TAKE IMAGES OF RUSSET POTATOES AND ANALYZE THEM TO SEE HOW MUCH THEY'VE HEALED. WE'LL USE THIS TO CREATE MODELS TO PREDICT THE HEALING PROCESS. IN THE LONG TERM, WE'LL USE THIS APPROACH TO SEE IF IT WORKS IN PRACTICAL SETTINGS. WE'LL EVALUATE ITS IMPACT ON POTATO QUALITY, SHELF-LIFE, AND LOSSES DURING LONG-TERM STORAGE. IF IT WORKS, IT COULD REDUCE WATER LOSS AND DECAY DURING PROLONGED STORAGE. ALSO, WE'LL USE THE NIR-HSI TECHNIQUE TO IMPROVE STORAGE MANAGEMENT PRACTICES. IT COULD HELP US CONTROL THE ENVIRONMENT BETTER AND KEEP THE POTATOES FRESH FOR LONGER. ULTIMATELY, THESE ACHIEVEMENTS ENHANCE PROFITABILITY BY UPHOLDING POTATO QUALITY, EXTENDING SHELF LIFE, AND CURBING LOSSES.