NAPSO’s most recent webinar, “Storing for Success: Protecting Potato Seed & Preventing Disease,” was hosted on February 24, 2025 and provided growers with expert guidance on best practices for seed handling, storage, and disease management.
Kasia Duellman (University of Idaho) shared key insights on the impact of temperature control, airflow, and physiological age on seed viability. She emphasized the importance of gradual cooling, humidity regulation, and gentle handling to reduce damage and improve sprouting potential. Physiological age management plays a crucial role in determining yield and tuber development, and growers should assess storage conditions carefully to optimize planting outcomes.
James Alford (Alford Custom Ag/Premier Seed LLC) focused on the importance of proper seed receiving, suberization, and sanitation. His presentation highlighted strategies to minimize bruising, optimize airflow, and prevent storage diseases such as Fusarium dry rot and soft rot. Alford also emphasized that routine monitoring and strict environmental control can help preserve seed quality and reduce losses throughout the storage period.
Both presentations reinforced the critical role of careful seed management in maintaining high-quality planting stock. A full recap of the webinar , including a pdf file of the presentations and a video recording of the event is available on the NAPSO website – www.napso.info.
Ensuring Optimal Seed Quality Through Proper Handling & Disease Prevention
With the seed shipping and planting season approaching, it is essential to prioritize proper handling and disease prevention measures. This month, NAPSO highlights three key strategies to help growers maintain seed quality and maximize performance.
Ensuring Proper Seed Storage Conditions
Storage temperature and humidity must be carefully controlled to preserve seed viability and prevent physiological aging.
Temperature Management
Store seed potatoes between 34-39°F (1.1-3.9°C) with a gradual cooling rate to avoid condensation and internal damage.
Humidity Control: Maintain 85-95% relative humidity to prevent shrinkage while minimizing excess moisture that could lead to disease outbreaks.
Ventilation and Airflow: Proper airflow prevents CO buildup, reduces disease risks, and ensures uniform temperature distribution throughout the storage area.
Best Practices for Shipping & Handling Seed
Gentle handling during loading, transport, and unloading is critical for minimizing bruising and maintaining seed integrity.
Pre-shipment preparation
Warm seed gradually before transit to avoid cold stress.
Minimize mechanical damage: Avoid large drops (>6 inches or 15.24 cm), use padding at impact points, and ensure seed is handled with care.
Monitor temperatures in transit
Temperature fluctuations can increase disease risks. Use refrigerated trucks for long-distance shipments to maintain stable conditions.
Preventing Seed-Borne Diseases
Effective disease prevention strategies can help minimize storage losses and improve field performance.
Suberization (wound healing)
Allow 10-14 days of suberization at 47-55°F (8.3-12.8°C) before cutting to heal wounds and reduce infection risks.
Growers should focus on:
Sanitation Measures: Clean and disinfect storage areas before receiving new seed to prevent carryover contamination.
Fungicide Treatments: Use targeted fungicides for common seed diseases such as Fusarium dry rot, Rhizoctonia, and silver scurf. Follow label recommendations for safe and effective application.
