Monitoring Potato Storage key to rot control

POTATO growers must handle stored crops carefully to avoid the risk of rots developing, the Potato Council’s Sutton Bridge Experimental Unit (SBEU) has warned.

As harvest progresses, reports indicate crop quality entering stores is poorer than last season.

While some is satisfactory, there are also some potentially serious problems, especially in poorly-managed stores, said SBEU’s Glyn Harper.

“The key to keeping crops in good condition will be adequate ventilation, controlled temperature pull-down and close monitoring. You must avoid hot-spots and condensation developing.