[Diseases] [Wilt] [Tuber Wet Rot] [Tuber Blemishes] [Blight]

Several growers this fall asked me how I distinguish between various non-rotting tuber diseases in storage. What do I look for and how are they different? The following are rough personalized descriptions for the identification of the major ones occurring periodically. These are the symptoms that I look for on tubers at harvest and in storage.

• Black Dot
• Silver Scurf
• Common Scab
• Early Blight
• Black Pit
• Late Blight

Some tuber blemishes other than those listed may be found in other sections:

• Black Scurf -- Refer to Rhizoctonia solani under WILTS.
• Vascular Discoloration -- Refer to Verticillium spp. under WILTS.
• Bacterial Soft Rot -- Refer to WILTS and WET ROTS.
• Leak and Pink Rot -- Refer to Wet Rots.
• Dry Rot -- Refer to Fusarium spp. under WILTS.