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ARS Home » Midwest Area » Peoria, Illinois » National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research » Crop Bioprotection Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #315479
Title: Vine kill interval and temperature effects on Fusarium dry rot development in Russet Burbank

Author
item WOODELL, LYNN - University Of Idaho
item OLSEN, N - University Of Idaho
item Schisler, David
item Slininger, Patricia - Pat

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/19/2015
Publication Date: 7/23/2015
Citation: Woodell, L., Olsen, N., Schisler, D.A., Slininger, P.J. 2015. Vine kill interval and temperature effects on Fusarium dry rot development in Russet Burbank. Meeting Abstract.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Fusarium dry rot disease development in potato storage is universal to all market sectors and regions. The objective of this 2-year study was to evaluate three possible management decisions that may impact Fusarium dry rot development in storage: a) vine kill to harvest time, b) harvested tuber pulp temperature, and c) final storage temperature. Russet Burbank tubers grown at Kimberly, Idaho were either not killed, or mechanically vine killed at 4 weeks or 2 weeks before harvest. Yield, grade, specific gravity, bruise susceptibility and processing quality, as indicated by sugar concentrations and fry color, were evaluated at harvest. Processing quality was also monitored periodically during storage. Subsamples from the 2-week vine kill treatment were split into two additional studies to produce 1) pulp temperature treatments of 7.2, 12.8 or 18.3ºC, or 2) final holding temperature treatments of 4.4, 5.6, 7.2 or 8.9 ºC. Storage samples were inoculated with Fusarium sambucinum, cured at 12.8°C (95%RH), and ramped 0.3°C/day to 7.2°C for the field and pulp temperature studies. Tubers were evaluated for percent incidence and severity of dry rot infection. There were limited differences between vine kill treatments on tuber quality and yield. In one year processing quality was lower with the 4 week vine kill treatment at harvest and in storage. There were no differences in dry rot incidence or severity due to vine kill interval, harvested tuber pulp temperature, or final storage temperatures. Fusarium dry rot decay in storage did not appear to be greatly affected by tuber maturity, pulp or storage temperatures. Additional management strategies need to be assessed to minimize decay development. (Oral, Extension, Production and Management, PAA membership #38).