As harvest approaches potato bruise prevention is a hot topic.
Bruises can cause significant losses.
Bruising does not begin or end with the harvester, there are many factors before and after harvest that can reduce or increase potato bruising. A good vine kill and allowing tubers to set skin long enough and not too much late nitrogen affect tuber maturity. These factors vary a lot with variety. Good plant potassium levels has been shown to reduce bruising. Clods are usually formed early in the growing season.