The pitted appearance on the potato tubers in your photo is most commonly caused by a disorder known as pitted scab, which is typically the result of infection by the soil-borne bacterium Streptomyces scabies. This pathogen infects tubers as they begin to form and leads to characteristic deep lesions or pits on the surface, lowering tuber quality and market value.
The severity of pitted scab is influenced by several environmental and management factors:
Soil conditions: Dry soil during tuber formation and high soil pH (usually above 5.5) favor the development of scab. Conversely, maintaining consistent soil moisture can help reduce its incidence.
Infected seed tubers: Using diseased or contaminated seed tubers is a major source of disease spread and pitting.
Continuous potato cropping: Growing potatoes repeatedly on the same land increases the risk of scab due to buildup of the pathogen.
Physical damage: Mechanical injury to tubers during harvesting or handling can provide an entry point for pathogens, further aggravating pitting symptoms.
Other causes: Similar pitted or raised lesions can sometimes occur due to conditions like freezing, chilling injury, or physical abrasion. Pitted symptoms may also be confused with other diseases, such as powdery scab or certain nematode damage, but these often have distinct patterns or associated symptoms.
In summary, the most likely reason for the pitted tuber symptoms in your photo is common scab infection, exacerbated by environmental stresses, infected seed, and possibly mechanical damage. Adopting practices such as using clean seed, crop rotation, maintaining proper soil moisture, and minimizing injury can help manage and reduce these symptoms in future crops
To prevent pitted scab and similar surface defects in potato tubers like those shown in your photo, you can adopt several practical measures:
Use certified, disease-free seed tubers: Always plant healthy, scab-free seed potatoes to avoid introducing Streptomyces scabies and other pathogens into the field.
Crop rotation: Avoid growing potatoes on the same land continuously. Rotate with non-host crops (like cereals or legumes) for 2–3 years to reduce soil-borne disease buildup.
Maintain consistent soil moisture: Irrigate during the critical tuber initiation and bulking period. Proper moisture suppresses scab development by keeping soil conditions unfavorable for the pathogen.
Manage soil pH: If possible, keep soil pH at or below 5.2, as high pH increases risk of common scab. Avoid excessive lime applications.
Prevent physical damage: Handle tubers gently during harvest and post-harvest processes to minimize wounds where pathogens could enter.
Sanitize equipment and storage areas: Clean tools, machinery, and storage bins regularly to avoid cross-contamination.
Resistant varieties: Where available, plant potato varieties that are resistant or moderately resistant to common scab and other soil-borne diseases.
Implementing these measures helps keep potato crops healthier and tubers free of pitted and scabby lesions, improving both yield and market quality.
Здраствуйте некоторые возможные причины появления клубней картофеля без косточек:
Посадка в холодную переувлажнённую почву. При такой посадке ростки могут быть повреждены ризоктониозом. В результате картофель включает «аварийный» вариант размножения и наращивает новые клубни без развития надземной части.
Посадка картофеля под зиму. Есть шанс, что клубни замёрзнут или сгниют. Оставшиеся не убранными клубни зимой чаще или погибают, или дают нормальные растения, но иногда образуют новые клубни без ботвы.
Тяжёлые и чрезмерно увлажнённые почвы. В таких условиях клубни словно задыхаются от дефицита кислорода.
Непогода. Когда засуха сменяется обильными дождями, а устойчивое тепло сменяют холодные дни, картофель плохо приспосабливается и формирует уродливые клубни.
Поражение картофеля грибками или вирусами. Это сопровождается появлением на клубнях пятен, гнилью или внутренними полостями.