Delaying Harvest Increases Losses to Common Scab in Potatoes (1999) - 3 pages
In commercial potato production, it is not uncommon for harvest to be delayed for several weeks after the tops have naturally senesced or been chemically desiccated. Delaying harvest is known to increase the incidence of Rhizoctonia (Black Scurf) on the tubers. Trials conducted by the University of Saskatchewan from 1995-1997, indicated that the incidence and severity of common scab increased the longer the crop was in the ground (ie; early planting combined with the late harvest). In these trials, yields also increased the longer the crop was in the ground, which tended to offset the increased grade out to excessive scab. In 1998 and 1999 we specifically evaluated how yields and grade-out to scab changed as the interval between top kill and harvest increased.
The trials were conducted on land heavily infected by common scab. Norland and Shepody were used as the test crops. The crops were planted in mid-May and grown using standard management practices for irrigated potatoes.
