The turgidity of potato tubers and other root vegetables is improved, maintained, or restored and/or the greening of potato tubers is delayed, prevented or inhibited and/or internal diseases caused by fungi and bacteria are prevented or treated by the application of one or more α,β-unsaturated aliphatic aldehydes and ketones, C3 to C14 aliphatic aldehydes and ketones, and/or C3 to C7 saturated or unsaturated primary and secondary aliphatic alcohols.