Plant part affected:

               Tubers- internal

 Symptom:

 • The damaged tissue is frequently visible, and the inside of the tubers ranges from brownish-black to black.

•The damaged tissue has a leathery, rough texture.

Cause:

 • Occurs when there is a lack of oxygen or an excess of CO₂, which causes the tissue to die, especially when there is a lack of oxygen and a high temperature.

 • High temperatures that follow an abundance of rain that depletes the soil of oxygen can also induce black heart in potato fields.

 • When harvested tubers are kept on the ground for an extended period.

 • When soil is not entirely covered with manually planted seed, especially when it is scorching.

Management:

  Do not leave harvested tubers on trucks covered with tarps in the sun.

 • During storage and transit, make sure there is enough ventilation.

 If there is rain in the off-season, stay away from fields with poor drainage.

 • Ensure that lifted tubers are promptly removed.

 • As soon as possible after planting, cover seed tubers in furrows.

 2. Brown core and hollow heart:

Plant part affected:

           Tubers- internal

Symptom

•The tuber's cavities might have uneven forms and occur longitudinally or diagonally.

Cause:

• Brown core develops when tubers are tiny and temperature is low (<15^oC), especially during tuber initiation up to the tuber reaching 50 g. Cells die, turn brown, and can easily tear apart.

Management:

 • Choose varieties that are less susceptible to the condition.

•Avoid over-watering and low plant populations.

•If early plants frequently have brown centers, avoid planting until slightly warmer weather.

•Try to keep conditions consistent throughout the season by
controlling fertilization and irrigation.

3. Cracking/Growth cracks:

Plant part affected:

                 Tubers-external

 Symptom:

• Growth breaks can range in depth and length, although they often appear throughout the tuber's length.

Cause:

Various soil moisture levels might cause growth fissures;

• Tubers break when a dry spell is followed by rain or irrigation. Growth cracks are brought on by uneven plant population, excessive nitrogen fertilization, and nutritional imbalances. Moisture uptake promotes a speedy rise in tuber moisture and growth and, as a result, an increase in tuber size.

• Applying a lot of nitrogen all at once after tuber development.

Management:

• If growth cracks frequently happen and result in a loss of income, stay away from cultivars that are prone to them.

• Wherever feasible, provide homogeneous growth conditions, an even
plant population, proper irrigation planning, and sound fertilization techniques.

 4. Enlarged lenticels:

Plant part affected:

                   Tubers-external  

Symptom:

White, raised tissue that resembles a callus on the tuber's surface. The size might range from discrete to huge.

Cause:

When there is an oxygen deficit and excessive moisture in the soil around the tubers or when the tubers are stored, the cells beneath the lenticels enlarge, and the cell mass breaks through the corky layer, forming more prominent lenticels.

Management:

Reduce irrigation two weeks before harvesting by irrigating when the plant's available water is 40% to 50%. Avoid fields that are prone to water logging.

5. Frost damage:

Plant part affected:

                    Tubers-internal

Symptom:

Grey or reddish tissue can develop after brief exposure to temperatures between 0 and 2 degrees Celsius. The tissue may also become black or dark grey.

Cause:

tubers are exposed to temperatures that range from just above (0 °C) to much below (0 °C).

Management:

When harvesting tubers, never leave them out overnight, especially if cold temperatures are forecast.

• When the growth season concludes, avoid cultivars that tend to bear shallowly in areas with low temperatures.

• If the ideal circumstances are not present, do not keep seed potatoes on the farm. Put hessian sacks or grass over stacks to create an enclosure, ideally keeping them in a room with good ventilation. When harvesting tubers, never leave them out overnight, especially if cold temperatures are forecast.

 • In areas with low temperatures after the growing season, avoid cultivars that tend to bear shallowly.

 • If the ideal circumstances are not present, do not keep seed potatoes on the farm. Stacks should be isolated by being covered with grass or hessian sacks, but keeping them in a room with climate control and ventilation is best.

 • Make sure systems are in place for adequate temperature regulation during cold storage • Harvest plants with tubers close to the soil surface before the first cold front is anticipated • If seed potatoes must be carried during the day, the consignment must be well covered.

6. Greening tubers:

Plant part affected:

         Tubers-External and internal

Symptom:

• Greening of the tissue directly beneath the skin.

•The severity may vary, and sunburn may also be present. Tubers-external

Cause:

When tubers are exposed to light, they become green (sun or artificial).

Management:

• Keep away from cultivars that have shallow-bearing tendencies.

 Refrain from using a lot of nitrogen, especially on cultivars prone to growing long stolons. 

• Plant in well-prepared soil.

• Irrigate to avoid cracks if at all feasible. 

• Keep away from cultivars that have shallow-bearing tendencies. 

• Plant in properly prepared soil.

• If possible, use water to prevent cracks from forming during dry weather.

 • It may be ridged to cover any exposed tubers with dirt if they become visible after the foliage dies off, especially with cultivars prone to growing long stolons. 

• Do not leave tubers exposed to light for too long after harvest. 

• When packing potatoes exposed to light for longer than a few days, use materials that offer adequate protection against light transmission. Compared to brown paper, white paper transmits more light.

7. Internal brown fleck:

Plant part affected:

         Tubers-internal

Symptom:

Brown specks that are irregular and primarily seen in the vascular bundle ring.

Cause:

 Specifically, calcium deficiency is the main factor causing brown flecks (Ca).

The temperature of the air and the soil, the kind of soil, and the wetness of the soil are environmental elements that cause brown flecks.

Management:

Ensure enough calcium is available for absorption where and when tubers are produced. The tuber zone must have access to Ca throughout where granular fertilizer is used.

• Choosing planting dates to prevent high temperatures during tuber production and harvesting lowers the danger of brown flecks.

Using appropriate irrigation and fertilization techniques may prevent stress at the start of the growth season.

8. Loose skin:

Plant part affected:

     Tubers-external

Symptom:

Cause:

• Excessive nitrogen (N) treatment late in the season and moist soil may encourage loose skin and postpone maturity.

Management:

9. Malformation:

Plant part affected:

             Tubers-external.

Symptom:

Tubers form secondary tubers, some immediately on an eyelet and others on short stolons. 

   Cause:

• Malformed tubers develop when high temperatures throughout the growing season cause development to be interrupted. This is frequently accompanied by moisture stress and nutritional deficiency.

 Management:

Avoid producing during heat waves. Avoid cultivars that are intolerant of high temperatures. Plant it when the weather is cooler. Make sure the growth conditions are consistent.

Plant part affected:

      Tubers-external

Symptom:

• Tiny cracks that give the skin a recognizable net-like look.

Cause:

 Management: