b'and other diseases if not properly stored. Although late blight was not an issue this year in most Canadian provinces, other diseases can pose a significant threat to healthy potatoes going into storage. Therefore, a good storage management program including daily monitoring and checking for potential threats should be implemented, while maintaining proper temperature and humidity conditions. To measure the temperature in storage, a thermometer or temperature probe should be employed 50100 cm below top of surface of the pile. By checking daily, soft rot can be detected early using an infrared thermometer. Areas of break-down will show up as hot spots as often as three weeks before other symptoms are noticeable. Maintaining detailed daily records of all storage conditions and activ-ities is essential. If unexpected problems arise, there is some way of determining the cause and resolving it.Along with weather Ensure the functionality of the ventilation control system and dampers,conditions and forecasts, especially during very cold weather when the danger of ice buildup is greatest. Insoil and tuber pulp addition, the relative humidity (RH) in storage should be high enough to preventtemperatures are key elements affecting your shrinkage losses and pressure bruising.harvest schedule and the Generally, about 9297 per cent of RH for dry healthy potatoes and 8590storability of your crop. per cent for wet, leaky potatoes are recommendedthese conditions in ventilated storages can only be reached using a humidifier. To achieve the above conditions, air movement in storage is essential not only over-the-pile but also through-the-pile to maintain recommended constant optimal temperatures. Any storage holding over 160 tonnes should have a forced air circulation system that can blend outside airSTORING HEALTHY POTATOES with inside air.Wound healing and curing are essential for the development of a good skin to reduce water loss and minimize the danger of rots. If the potatoes are dry and in good condition, curing can begin soon after the storage is full. Adjust the pile temperature to 1315.5 C and maintain for 10 to 14 days along with 9297 per cent RH and one- to two-hour daily ventilation. This curing period for processing potatoes may need to be extended up to four to five weeks to improve colour. Colour should be tested weekly during curing of processing potatoes. After the curing process, healthy potatoes should be kept at a specific holding temperature according to the end use. STORING PROBLEM POTATOES When storing problem potatoes, growers may want to consider one of the following optional storage conditions. In most cases, when potato lots are mixed with infect-ed tubers, such potatoes should initially be dried in storage as quickly as possible using extensive air circulation. When the temperature of tubers brought to storage is greater than 20 C or less than 7 C, it should be adjusted at a rate of 23 C per day until the curing temperature is reached. Meanwhile, drying of potatoes should be the first priority when the danger of soft rot exists due to blight, frost, pink eye, blackleg, or excess moisture. Until the risk of breakdown is over, the pile should be ventilated with dry air (humidifier off) which may take several weeks or even months. In cases of severe frost or disease damage, maintain pile temperature at 89 C for three to four weeks before lowering further to 34 C. Low temperatures will keep disease organisms in check while enhancing the drying process. However, if processing potatoes are involved, the possibility of losing colour due to low temper-atures should be taken into account. Tubers harvested under wet conditions late in the season may be subject to pink rot and Pythium leak infections. Since these diseases can hasten the spread of soft rot in storage through watery ooze from infected tubers, good ventilation in storage is essential to manage them. With adequate air circulation, infected tubers will become mummified and not undergo a wet rot. As such, you can minimize the risk of soft rot by drying the 42 SPUDSMART.COM FALL 2019'