Seed tubers of cv. Majestic harvested from untreated plants in August had fewer sclerotia ofR. solani at the rose than at the heel end. As plant growth ceased in September and tubers matured, sclerotia formed on the rose end so that all regions of the tuber had similar concentrations. In a preliminary experiment in the previous year, presumably influenced by seasonal factors, the onset of maturity was such that the rose end had the highest and the heel end significantly the lowest concentration of sclerotia. In the second season destroying haulms with acid decreased both the time necessary for tuber maturation and the accompanying change of distribution of sclerotia when spraying was done in August but not if it was delayed until September. The results can be explained, in part, by postulating tuber exudates as a source of nutrition for the fungus.