NAPSO and Spud Smart Announce Expert Webinar on Diagnosing and Managing Mid-Storage Potato Problems

The National Potato Storage Organization (NAPSO), in collaboration with Spud Smart, is set to host an in-depth and highly practical webinar titled “Mid-Storage Health Check: Diagnosing and Managing Problems” on December 17 at 10 a.m. PST. The session aims to equip growers, storage managers, agronomists, and industry professionals with essential troubleshooting skills to identify and manage potato issues that commonly arise during mid-storage periods. 

This technical webinar will spotlight key storage management challenges such as CO₂ balance, humidity control, airflow issues, and disease identification, helping participants understand how to stabilize conditions in both partially filled and full storage facilities. Attendees will be guided on detecting early signs of condensation, wet floors, and improper fan management—factors that often trigger rot, quality deterioration, and economic losses.

Two distinguished experts will headline the session:

Featured Speakers

Dr. Sastry Jayanty

Dr. Sastry Jayanty - Professor and Extension Specialist, Postharvest Biology Horticulture and Landscape Architecture, Colorado State University

Dr. Jayanty specializes in postharvest potato biology, with research focused on physiological disorders, nutritional properties, and quality factors influenced by pre- and postharvest conditions. His recent scientific contributions include studies on selenium accumulation in potatoes, acrylamide reduction in fried products, and characterization of antidiabetic compounds in vegetables. His expertise offers valuable insights into optimizing storage conditions to preserve nutritional and processing quality.

Dr. Amanda Gevens

Dr. Amanda Gevens - Professor, Extension Specialist, and Associate Chair, University of Wisconsin-Madison

With over 16 years of service in potato and vegetable pathology, Dr. Gevens is internationally recognized for her work in pathogen ecology and integrated disease management. She oversees the Wisconsin Seed Potato Certification Program and has delivered more than 500 presentations to the state’s industry alone. Her prolific academic output includes 60+ refereed publications, 90+ peer-reviewed technical reports, 60+ trade journal articles, and contributions to more than 2,500 extension documents. She also leads the widely followed UW-Madison Vegetable Crop Updates newsletter.

What Participants Will Learn

Attendees can expect actionable guidance on:

• Balancing CO₂ and humidity in partially filled and full storage units
• Detecting condensation, air leaks, and wet floor issues linked to airflow mismanagement
• Recognizing early symptoms of soft rot, pink rot, Fusarium dry rot, and pressure bruising
• Applying diagnostic skills through real-world case studies and visual examples from field specialists

This webinar is designed to provide practical, evidence-based tools to safeguard potato quality, enhance storage efficiency, and minimize mid-season losses.

Registrations are now open — reserve your spot today.