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Seed Production Practices - Harvest and Storage Management

 
 
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 Return to the Guide to Commercial Potato Production on the Canadian Prairies

Vine Killing: (Also see Vine Killing)
The purpose of vine killing in seed production is to:

  • Reduce the risk of late season virus transmission by winged aphids. Early generation seed should be killed by mid August
  • Stop tuber growth to obtain a desirable tuber size profile
  • Promote skin set and prevent bruising. A well-developed skin resists damage during harvest, which reduces the potential for infection to enter the tuber causing rot. Vines should be killed (dead and dry) for 10 to 14 days before harvesting to achieve maximum resistance to bruising and skinning
  • Allow easy separation of the vine from the tubers during harvest
Bruise prevention (See Bruise Prevention)

Seed Storage
Growers must ensure that each class and variety of seed is kept separate through harvest, grading and storage. Bin dividers can be used to sub-divide larger bins, allowing the safe storage of multiple seed lots. The contents of each bin should be clearly labelled to avoid accidental contamination with differing varieties or generations.

Seed cannot be treated with storage-applied sprout inhibitors such as CIPC. Due to the potential for drift, seed potatoes cannot be stored in the same building as any potatoes treated with CIPC. Similarly, seed should not be stored in buildings treated with CIPC in previous years as this volatile compound is absorbed into the storage structure.

Seed should be cured at 55-60°F (13-15°C) and 95% RH with good airflow for two weeks. Once curing is completed, reduce the ventilation rate and gradually cool the pile to a final holding temperature of 37-40°F (3-5°C) with 95% RH. The condition of the pile should be checked regularly during the storage period. Restrict access to the storage to reduce the potential for introducing disease.

Written by Dennis Lidgett		  
 
 
 

Other Documents in the Series

  
  Seed Potato Production Management
 Seed Potato Production Pyramid
 Seed Potato Production Practices - Seed Selection and Handling
 Seed Production Practices - Disease Prevention, Roguing, Insect Management and Irrigation
Seed Production Practices - Harvest and Storage Management - Current Document
  
 
 
 
For more information about the content of this document, contact Michele Konschuh.
This document is maintained by Shelley Barkley.
This information published to the web on February 2, 2005.
Last Reviewed/Revised on April 30, 2009.