The effect of humidity on potato gangrene development in naturally contaminated tubers

Abstract

During the winters of 1977/78 and 1978/79 tubers of cv. Arran Banner naturally contaminated with Phoma exigua var, foveata were kept at either high or low humidity and at 5, 10, 15 or 20 C. During the 1978/79 winter cv. Majestic tubers were stored under similar conditions at 5 and 10°C only. At monthly intervals tubers from each lot were damaged to encourage gangrene development and returned to their storage condition except the Majestic tubers which were switched from high to low humidity or vice versa and returned to the appropriate temperature. No gangrene rots developed in tubers kept at 1 5 or 20°C at either humidity. At 5 and 10°C fewer rots developed at high humidity compared with low humidity including Majestic tubers kept Initially at high humidity. Inoculum levels in soil on tubers were not markedly affected by storage conditions.