Stress can also change physiologic maturity by continuing to mature tubers on plants that have already died, changing reducing sugar content, weight, etc. Several criteria are considered in preparing to harvest and store potatoes. Vine kill must be carefully controlled. Rapid vine kill can cause stem-end discoloration. Excess late fertilization interferes with vine and tuber maturation.
Growers try to harvest during optimum soil conditions.
Otherwise tuber bruising can result. When operating the harvester and piler, care is taken to reduce bouncing and rolling the tubers or bruising can result. When transporting the tubers from harvest to storage, care is taken to avoid wind and sun. Back to Top of Page Storage of Tubers Optimally, growers like to store only sound, unbruised tubers that have not been stressed during growth. Heat from the field must be removed quickly, preferably within three days.