b'TATER TALES Guidelines to Manage Problem Potatoes in StorageTips on how to manage a potato crop in risk during storage.AFTER DIGGING THE potato crop, the next challenge for growers is to limit the loss of tuber quality in storage. This can be difficult if quality has been compromised by diseases, excessive soil moisture, frost or mechanical bruising in the field or at harvest.The most common diseases causing problems in storage are bacterial soft rot (blackleg, Dickeya) late blight, pink rot and leak. If more than two per cent of the tubers show signs of disease, or two per cent of EUGENIA BANKS,the crop is frost damaged, the common storage rules potato specialistshould be bypassed to save a crop at risk. Bypassing with the Ontario Potato Board common storage rules will bring different problems: tuber weight loss, pressure bruising and the build-up of reducing sugars. These problems must be considered secondary to the potential losses from tuber decay.The following is a list of guidelines to help growers manage a crop at risk in storage:1. If test digs indicate two per cent of the tubers are rotting, delay digging to allow the damaged and diseased tubers to rot. Grade tubers carefully andPythium leak is one of the main culprits that causes storage problems.PHOTO: EUGENIA BANKSmarket them straight from the field, if possible.2. Leave rotten or frozen potatoes in the field. This will require additional people on the digger. Slow down and provide sufficient light so that the workers8. Run funs continuously until the crop is dry and can do to do their job. decay is under control. Recirculate air through the 3. Prepare the storage. Ensure its at the properpotatoes in storage even when outside air is not being temperature, with the air delivery and control systemsintroduced.in good order. 9. Keep the pile as shallow as possible. This 4. Provide an adequate air flow rate (25 cubic feetpromotes air movement and allows the removal per minute per ton) in all areas of the storage. Good airof potatoes from hot spots. Rotting tubers and dirt movement is essential for problem potatoes. sometimes form barriers to air movement.5. Dont try to store compromised potatoes unless10. Monitor the storage daily. Thermometers placed the pulp temperature can be brought down andat various depths in the pile provide a good indication maintained below 10 C throughout the pile. If tubersof the average temperature. Infrared guns are helpful at the top of the pile arent cooled properly, decay willto locate hot spots before they begin to sink and start there. The entire pile may melt down and be lost. spread.6. Cure the tubers with air at the lowest possible11. Dont expose cold potatoes to warm outside air. temperature, 10 C is the target, or eliminate the curingA layer of free water will condense on the tubers. This period altogether. Problem potatoes are usuallycan cause suffocation and favours soft rot. Use air no infected with decay pathogens. Cool and dry the pile towarmer than 3 C above the desired tuber temperature.the final storage temperature as quickly as possible. Remember, one of the most serious errors is to 7. Dont humidify. The potatoes are probably too wetharvest potatoes from low, poorly drained areas of a already.field where water may have accumulated. 50SPUDSMART.COM Fall 2022'