Hollow heart, depending on its severity, is also called brown center. Hollow heart is characterized by the formation of an irregular cavity in the flesh of the tuber, usually surrounded by dark brown tissues. Heat necrosis is also referred to as internal brown and internal necrosis, which is characterized by small, brown, necrotic lesions or spots inside the vascular ring of the tuber.
Resources
Pink eye of potato
Pink eye is a disorder of potato tubers that can cause costly storage losses for potato growers and can reduce tuber quality to the point where tubers will be rejected by potato processors. Pink eye not only directly affects tubers, but also makes tubers more susceptible to diseases such as Pythium leak, bacterial soft rot, pink rot, and Fusarium dry rot. These diseases cause additional storage losses and reduction in quality.
Management of water molds and bacterial diseases of potato tubers in the post-harvest space
While every growing season typically offers a few weather hiccups, some years offer a few more extreme disruptions than typical. Extreme temperatures, in concert with moisture stress, exacerbate disease risk at the time of harvest and beyond.
Late-Season Management of Black Dot and Silver Scurf in Wisconsin Potatoes
As the potato harvest season advances, late-season tuber diseases are of concern. Two diseases in particular—black dot (Colletotrichum coccodes) and silver scurf (Helminthosporium solani)—can diminish tuber quality, reduce storability, and lead to post-harvest losses. Managing these diseases requires careful attention in the late season, as cultural and harvest practices can influence disease.
Decision support tool roundup – Spring 2025
There are many online tools available to growers to aid in decision-making when it comes to weather-based risks. Here we feature a few of our favorites.
Deep frost this winter limits risk of potato volunteers
This winter of 2024-2025 was markedly different than the last in terms of air and soil temperature and risk of potato volunteer survival. As per the University of Wisconsin Climatology Office, the winter saw minimal snowpack and sustained subfreezing conditions through early to mid-February, and frost extended deep into the ground until the mid-February snowstorms added insulation. These conditions further slowed frost progression despite subzero temperatures in some areas.
Insecticide options for controlling Colorado potato beetle in Wisconsin
For most CPB chemical management tools, timing application occurs with the appearance of first instar larvae in the field. Early instar larvae are the most susceptible life stage for chemical management, and applications should be …
Commercial Vegetable Production in Wisconsin (A3422)
Annual UW Extension publication detailing best practices for commercial vegetable production in Wisconsin, including approved insecticides and fungicides for pest management.
Potato Late Blight Fungicides
This document contains a list of fungicides registered for control of potato late blight in Wisconsin. In furrow and seed treatment registrations are omitted. Not a comprehensive list. Most fungicides listed are for use in conventional systems. Where generic fungicide trade names are listed, there may be numerous.