Stay vigilant and handle stored potato crops carefully in order to minimise the risk of rots developing, the British Potato Council has advised. Adequate ventilation, careful temperature pull-down and close monitoring are key.

“You must avoid hot spots and condensation developing,” said the BPC’s Jeff Peters. “Make sure you stack or load the store to ensure good airflow and ventilate correctly. Watch for carbon dioxide build-up – this will affect quality, while anaerobic store atmospheres will bring on rots.”

The first few weeks of storage were crucial and ventilation should continue until crops were completely dry, he advised.

For advice on rots and other storage issues, see the latest storage bulletin at www.potato.org.uk/sbeu The BPC’s Store Performance Guide also contains guidance on loading and ventilation. Call 01865 782222 or email publications@potato.org.uk

Test potato seed before planting

NIAB has urged potato growers to test seed before planting after significant levels of blight and Erwinia infection were found in tubers.

Half of all samples tested were also infected with Potato Virus Y, particularly in Estima, although levels were generally low and only a few samples caused concern.

Levels of Potato Leaf Roll Virus and the mild mosaic viruses were also relatively low, although one sample did have 41% infection from Potato Virus A.